Coronavirus Outbreak: South Delhi Municipality Uses Drone To Sanitize Nizamuddin Markaz Area

SDMC said it used the drone to spray 1% sodium hypochlorite solution as a disinfectant in Nizamuddin East, Nizamuddin Basti, and the surrounding areas.

Since Monday the sanitation drive has been continually taking place in the Nizamuddin area. (Image: AFP)

New Delhi: South Delhi Municipal Corporation deployed a drone to spray a disinfectant over the locality in Nizamuddin which has turned out to be an epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak. On 21 March, there were about 1,746 persons staying in Hazrat Nizamuddin Markaz. Of these, 216 were foreigners. Additionally, about 824 foreigners were continuing Tabligh activities in various parts of the country and a large number of Indian Tabligh Jamaat workers were also engaged in different parts of the country. SDMC said it used the drone to spray 1% sodium hypochlorite solution as a disinfectant in Nizamuddin East, Nizamuddin Basti, and the surrounding areas. The spraying radius also included the controversial Markaz building. ALSO WATCH | People From 67 Countries Had Attended Markaz In Nizamuddin "The drone deployment was meant to bring down human contact in the area. We don't want our dedicated sanitation workers to be infected," a senior SDMC official told IANS. He said drones also help in covering a large area effectively. "The drone took 18 rounds of 20 minutes each with a 5-liter solution of the disinfectant. We may deploy more drones in the area," he said. Since Monday the sanitation drive has been continually taking place in the Nizamuddin area. The Delhi Police after evacuating the Nizamuddin Markaz started the disinfecting process. Delhi Health Minister Satendra Jain said the police had cordoned off a large part of Nizamuddin West as several people were found with coronavirus symptoms after taking part in the religious gathering. On Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered registration of an FIR against 'maulana' who led the assemblage. ALSO WATCH | Tablighi Jamaat Attendees Spit At Doctors At Tughlakabad Quarantine Unit The maulana has been accused of organizing a Tablighi Jamaat congregation in the area, scorning the social distancing norms. According to sources, when the 21-day nationwide lockdown was announced, there were thousands of persons present inside the Tablighi Jamaat's international headquarters in southwest Delhi. (With inputs from IANS)