Dengue in Lutyens Delhi: Shocking lapses at Rashtrapati Bhawan, key landmarks

Several government buildings in posh south Delhi - starting from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to several government buildings in RK Puram and Munirka area - have become breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes which is responsible for transmitting dengue to people in Delhi.

After waterlogging, various bureaucratic offices and governing bodies in the Capital city, instead of setting an example, are creating and encouraging 'mosquitogenic' conditions on their premises.

Last week, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) issued VIP challans to JNU hostels, DPS RK Puram, DTC Bus Depot Vasant Vihar, IIT, DJB for mosquito breeding. The SDMC has already issued VIP challans to other authorities like CPWD, PWD, and DSIIDC.

Even, the central government-run Safdarjung hospital has been issued 6 challans and 12 notices for breeding dengue-causing mosquitoes.

While the Delhi government mulls to bring an ordinance to punish private hospitals refusing to provide treatment to patients in emergency situations to control the dengue menace, its own officers turn a deaf ear to the challans and legal notices issued by the health department to make their office premises mosquito-free zones.

The air conditioners, coolers, flowerpots, overhead tanks for water storage and pots for feeding birds act as shelters for dengue mosquitoes.

According to sources, health department of the SDMC has issued over 30 VIP challans in the past one month.

Till date, 193 government buildings have been challaned and 3365 notices have been issued to various other buildings owned by Delhi government.

New Delhi's Lutyens Bungalow Zone (LBZ), known for its lush greens, colonial style property and sprawling gardens, has also become a paradise for Aedes aegypti mosquitos.

Dengue scare in the national capital escalated on Thursday with a three-year-old girl becoming the 15th victim on the list of dead as the number of people down with the mosquito-borne fever crossed 2,000.

Upscale south Delhi area, perceived to be the epitome of hygiene and cleanliness, has received the maximun number of challans from the health department.

-- Rashtrapati Bhavan gets 90 notices

-- MHA got a challan for coolers

-- Ministry of Finance issued notice for water in flower pots

-- RML issued 4 challan and 14 notices

-- Lady Harding issued 8 notices and one challan

-- AIIMS issued 9 challan and 22 notices

-- Safdarjung Hospital issued 6 challans and 12 notices

-- Safdarjung Aiport got challan for their nursery