Patna: As the nation is battling coronavirus pandemic, Bihar is preparing to fight diseases other than coronavirus. The fear of dengue, chikungunya, and jaundice is gripping the state as monsoon approaches.
The authorities are on alert to control the spread of such diseases amid the coronavirus outbreak.
A rapid outbreak of dengue was seen in Patna last year after massive waterlogging in the city caused by heavy rainfall. This time, the government has got the drains cleaned three times to avoid waterlogging.
In the recently held cabinet meeting, the government of Bihar approved Rs 70.42 lakh for drainage management in Patna. The Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation will use this amount for the sump pump operation.
"Drains were started cleaning from March 1. For the protection from dengue, continuous fogging operation is taking place in 45 wards of the city," Patna Municipal Corporation Commissioner Himanshu Sharma told ETV Bharat.
"The state administration spends 6 to 7 crore every year for drainage in Patna. This time additional machines have been brought. This year, more than 1 crore may be spent. We have completed our preparations despite the coronavirus lockdown," Sharma said.
"CM Nitish Kumar has held meetings several times regarding water logging in Patna. After this, there has been an initiative to change Sump House. But the process of replacement of Sump House has been slowed by the lockdown. We will talk to the city commissioner about the development works," BJP MLA Arun Sinha of Kumharrar Assembly constituency told ETV Bharat.
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