Curbing mosquitos: PMC sets new rules for builders

The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) health department has written a letter to Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI) laying down a few rules for the construction industry in times of dengue spread.

The letter sent to CREDAI (dna has a copy) states that from now on, all labourers working on construction sites should be provided with mosquito nets and a medical officer should be appointed for regular health checks. Moreover, before appointing the labourers, they should be checked for various diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunya. If suspected, the labourer’s blood samples should be sent for inspection at Kasba Peth ward office.

“Following incidents of mosquito breeding at construction sites, we had a meeting in New Delhi to keep a check on the rising numbers of vector-borne diseases. A letter has been sent to CREDAI informing them about the rules laid down for the builders. All construction sites have to have a medical officer and the labourers have to undergo medical check-ups once a week and their health card should be updated too,” said Vaishali Jadhav, PMC assistant medical officer of health.

“Builders are asked to keep construction sites free of mosquitos and if a breeding spot is found in their premises, they will be fined. Moreover, they have to bear the cost of fogging and spraying,” she added.