Fakhrul outlines action plan for Dhaka
Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday outlined in Parliament a comprehensive action plan for Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation to tackle waterlogging and mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, ahead of the monsoon season.
Responding to a tabled question from BNP lawmaker Md Abul Kalam, the minister said the strategies emphasise strengthened surveillance, public participation and modern pest control methods, reports UNB.
He said the DNCC has taken steps like control of Culex mosquitoes during the pre-monsoon season (March-May) and Aedes mosquitoes during the monsoon season, identification of risky areas and integrated mosquito control activities, strengthening the surveillance system and increasing public awareness and public involvement.
It has also undertaken necessary coordination with relevant government institutions to strengthen mosquito control efforts. These measures include morning larviciding, removal and destruction of mosquito breeding grounds, and evening fogging operations aimed at eradicating Culex mosquitoes.
Joint mosquito control drives are being conducted in high-risk hotspots such as closed canals, drains, and sewers. Additionally, the DNCC has cleaned approximately 6,000 bighas of water bodies across its jurisdiction.
Under the slogan “Saturday’s Promise: Let’s Clean Our Own Homes,” the DNCC is conducting weekly cleanliness drives in 25 high-risk wards every Saturday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, based on guidance from the Directorate General of Health Services and the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. These activities are ongoing in accordance with the established work plan.
Fakhrul stated that the DNCC is also focusing on raising public awareness about dengue and eliminating mosquito breeding sites in vulnerable areas. As part of this initiative, a special initiative titled “Operation Clean Home: Healthy Lives” is being implemented in 25 dengue-prone wards from April 8, with activities continuing as planned.
Furthermore, through hospital surveillance, the city corporation is collecting the residential addresses of dengue patients and deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) to carry out targeted mosquito control measures at those locations. This activity has been in operation since April 21, 2026.
In addition to the chemical pesticides currently used, the more effective organic pesticide Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) is under the procurement process after trial application.
To verify the quality of pesticides used by DNCC, pesticide testing activities are ongoing on a random basis by five reputable government/private organisations.
New stickers/leaflets, booklets are being prepared for public awareness and public involvement, which are ongoing.
Provision of precautionary bulk SMS during the monsoon season and OTV school promotion activities are also ongoing.
The proper use of pesticides has been ensured as per the guidelines of the Technical Committee of the Local Government Division and the effectiveness is being tested regularly.
As part of the waterlogging and dengue control activities during the upcoming monsoon season, the DSCC is conducting special cleaning and mosquito extermination campaigns every week in every area by involving the local people.
In addition to waste management, mosquito repellent spraying activities are continuing every morning and evening to control dengue. Moreover, a monitoring team has been formed with officers to control mosquitoes in the DSCC areas.
Under the supervision of the monitoring team, a special crash programme is being conducted by identifying risky places.
Mobile court drives are being conducted in risky places to control dengue and fines are being imposed if necessary.
Leaflet distribution/miking activities are underway in various educational institutions, religious establishments, markets, etc. to increase public awareness. In addition, publicity in this regard is continuing in print and electronic media.
To reduce waterlogging during the season, cleaning activities are underway by identifying hotspots under short-term activities. Segunbagicha box culvert, Zia Sarani and Kajla canal cleaning activities are already being implemented. Cleaning work of other canals, box-culverts and sewers will be implemented in phases.
Six portable pumps have already been purchased to remove rainwater from waterlogging areas quickly.
Currently, water from the DSCC areas is being drained through three outlets. Activities to construct one more outlet are underway and a plan has been taken to construct one new outlet (large sewer) from Gulistan to Sadarghat section with World Bank funding.
A plan has been taken to construct the required number of outlets after conducting a survey and feasibility study by engaging a consulting firm.
If the overall action plan is implemented, waterlogging will be reduced in the upcoming monsoon season.
It is hoped that it will be possible to control dengue, chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases, the minister said.
