Amidst a surge in dengue cases in the state, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim took a hands-on approach by using a shovel to clean a street, aiming to raise awareness about the crucial role of cleanliness in preventing dengue. The state has recorded over 40,000 dengue cases, with more than 500 reported in the city.
The civic body is intensifying efforts to address the dengue outbreak and conducting campaigns to educate the public about the situation. Hakim, also the Bengal Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Minister, urged residents to treat the issue seriously and remain vigilant. He emphasized the importance of preventing the accumulation of water and garbage in and around houses to curb mosquito breeding.
During his visit, Hakim inspected an under-construction building in the Chetla area. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has stated that dengue cases are on a declining trend in the state.
Contrarily, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh alleged that dengue cases in the city have risen since Firhad Hakim became Kolkata Mayor, dubbing him a “dengue minister.” Ghosh criticized the state of cleanliness in the city, blaming civic body officials for not undertaking large-scale cleaning drives, contributing to the alarming situation.