Government task force hits Dhaka construction sites in dengue control crackdown

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A newly formed national task force mandated to combat the dengue crisis continued its field operations for the third consecutive day on Friday, extending its crackdown on mosquito breeding grounds into the weekend. Under the supervision of State Minister for Local Government Mir Sahe Alam, the task force inspected residential areas, government housing complexes, and active construction sites throughout the Banani neighborhood in Dhaka.

The operation, which targeted roads 18, 21, and 24, resulted in a 50,000 taka fine for a construction firm after authorities discovered Aedes mosquito larvae on the premises. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Executive Magistrate Marufa Aktar imposed the penalty under Section 269 of the Penal Code, noting that the site had previously received warnings regarding sanitary conditions. Failure to pay the fine will result in a three-month prison sentence.

Minister Alam emphasized that while the committee is utilizing legal enforcement, the primary goal remains public health rather than punishment. He noted that municipal efforts alone are insufficient to curb the spread of the virus and urged citizens to play an active role by clearing stagnant water from rooftops, flowerpots, basements, and abandoned containers every three days.

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According to Brigadier General Imrul Kayes Chowdhury, Chief Health Officer of the DNCC, the task force’s three-day sweep revealed a concerning trend, with Aedes larvae detected in roughly 50 percent of the inspected homes and government quarters in the area. In response, the city has launched a comprehensive three-month program that includes intensified cleaning, insecticide spraying, and systematic larval destruction ahead of the approaching monsoon season.

The national task force, established this past Tuesday, is designed to coordinate efforts across various government agencies and monitor the implementation of anti-dengue strategies at the grassroots level. Following its inaugural operations in Gulshan, Jigatala, and the Kutubkhali canal area, the committee has pledged to maintain a consistent presence in high-risk zones to mitigate the risk of a seasonal outbreak.