Ludhiana: The district health department on Friday launched an anti-dengue campaign targeting high-risk breeding grounds across Ludhiana, including Punjab Roadways workshops, PRTC bus depots, and adjoining junkyards. Field teams inspected 9,422 houses and checked 21,843 water containers across 238 areas, uncovering and destroying mosquito larvae.The targeted drive focused on eliminating stagnant water found in discarded tyres, scrap material, and storage containers. “Wherever larvae were found, immediate destruction was carried out, followed by anti-larval measures and spray activities to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases,” officials stated.The operation covered Punjab Roadways workshops and 177 junkyards. The frontline workforce comprised multi-purpose health workers (MPHWs), swasth sahayaks, and breeding checkers, with field support from nursing students. The entire campaign was monitored by the district epidemiologist, ayurvedic medical officer, and multi-purpose health supervisors.Alongside inspection and chemical spraying, the teams conducted awareness activities to teach transport workers and residents how to recognise dengue symptoms and maintain dry environments.Civil surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur highlighted the risk posed by transport hubs and called for collective responsibility. “Bus depots, workshops, junkyards and discarded tyres can become major breeding grounds for dengue mosquitoes if proper precautions are not taken. The fight against dengue cannot be won by the health department alone; it requires active participation from every citizen and institution. I urge all departments, transport workers and residents to ensure that no water remains stagnant in their surroundings. Early detection, timely action and community cooperation are the strongest weapons against dengue. Together, we can safeguard our families and build a dengue-free district,” she said.
