Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi on Monday announced several directives in a bid to improve sanitation and prevent mosquito-borne diseases including Dengue in the national capital. While speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Oberoi underscored the ongoing efforts made by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to enhance sanitation and address Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) in the city.


The MCD has eliminated 28 garbage-vulnerable points from areas under its jurisdiction across the city and invited proposals to install waste handling equipment like fixed compactor transfer station machines at these locations, officials said on Monday, as reported by news agency PTI.


During the press conference, Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi said officials concerned in different Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) zones have been instructed to appoint a nodal officer to oversee the elimination and beautification of the remaining garbage vulnerable points (GVPs).


On Monday, a meeting of the deputy commissioners of the 12 MCD zones was held to take an update on the progress made in clearing the GVPs to date, she informed.


During the meeting, the officials apprised the mayor of the elimination of more GVPs across the city in comparison to last year, the Delhi Mayor said.


"In the West Delhi Zone of the 12 GVPs, seven have been eliminated with two minor points from where garbage is collected within 24 hours by the agencies. In Karol Bagh zone of the 14 GVPs, three have been eliminated and beautified with paintings, pots, and bins have been installed. At the Shahdara South zone, 14 out of 15 GVPs have been cleared, and in the South Delhi zone, of the 33 GVP points, three are beautified, and work on clearing the remaining points is underway," she told reporters, as quoted by PTI.


Additionally, Oberoi claimed that in the Central Delhi zone, out of the 17 total GVPs, one has been fully eliminated, while garbage from two to three points is collected within 24 hours. The city SP zone has no major GVP points. Last year, instructions were given to the officials to identify and clear the GVPs by the AAP dispensation of the MCD to make Delhi garbage free and improve sanitation in the city, she said.


At various locations, the proposal to install fixed compactor transfer station (FCTS) machines for handling of the solid and liquid waste have also been invited. "In areas which come under MCD's jurisdiction these machines will be installed and on lands managed by other agencies like DDA, we will hold talks to get them installed," Oberoi as quoted by PTI.


The Delhi Mayor further stated that in city's Rohini zone there are about 27 GVPs for which 10 FCTS machines are required to make the area 'Dhalao ghar' (secondary collection centres) free. In the Narela zone, there is only one major GVP point from where garbage is collected everyday, she said.


"We have instructed officials to appoint nodal officers in every ward of the zone to oversee garbage collection at the GVP points and ensure their beautification. In comparison to last year, we were able to reduce the number of GVP points to a great extent with the help of officials and support of public," she said. 


'Dengue Fever Escalates During Monsoon'


Speaking to ABP Live on Dengue during the Monsoon Season and the neurological complications associated with it, Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principle Director and Chief of Neurology at Fortis Hospital, said that dengue fever is an endemic mosquito-borne viral illness that escalates significantly during the monsoon season due to increased mosquito breeding. 


“While primarily known for causing flu-like symptoms, dengue has profound neurological implications that are often overlooked,” Gupta told ABP News.


Dr. Gupta further stated that during the monsoon season, stagnant water and higher humidity create ideal conditions for the Aedes mosquito to thrive, leading to a spike in dengue cases.


“Neurological manifestations of dengue, though less common, include encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis. These conditions arise from the virus crossing the blood-brain barrier, leading to inflammation and infection of the brain and spinal cord,” Gupta said.


“Patients with severe dengue may experience headaches, altered mental status, seizures, and even coma. The virus's neurotropic nature means it can directly infect neural cells, causing damage and inflammation. Furthermore, the immune response triggered by the infection can exacerbate these neurological issues, making management complex,” he further stated. 


Elaborating on the neurological complications of dengue during the monsoon, Gupta asserted that the increase in complications emphasises the need for early recognition and intervention, which require vigilant healthcare systems to monitor signs of neurological involvement in dengue patients. 


“The increased neurological complications of dengue during the monsoon emphasise the need for early recognition and intervention. Healthcare systems must be vigilant in monitoring for signs of neurological involvement in dengue patients, particularly during peak transmission periods. Preventative measures, such as mosquito control and public awareness campaigns, are crucial to mitigating the impact of dengue on neurological health during the monsoon season,” Dr. Gupta said.


Saurabh Bharadwaj Reviews Preparedness Of Delhi Govt Hospitals To Tackle Dengue


Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday reviewed preparations for tackling dengue in the national capital and issued directions to take preventive measures. Bharadwaj held a meeting on tackling the vector-borne disease with medical directors and superintendents of city government-run hospitals.


In a post in Hindi on X, he said, "Held a review meeting with medical superintendents and directors of all Delhi government hospitals regarding dengue cases during the rainy season." "Detailed information was sought about the availability of medicines in hospitals, arrangement of beds for dengue patients and other preparations. Instructions were also issued to take necessary steps to prevent dengue," he said in the post.






The Delhi Minister convened a meeting of all Delhi government departments to discuss preparations for handling dengue cases.