Dengue Prevention League: Coimbatore Corporation Collects 4 Lakh Discarded Containers in Three Days
The Coimbatore Corporation's pilot Dengue Prevention League (DPL), an inter-zone competition aimed at eliminating mosquito breeding sources, has collected nearly four lakh discarded plastic containers and other water-holding waste in its first three days.
The week-long programme, conducted across the Corporation's five zones, is part of intensified dengue prevention measures ahead of the peak monsoon season. Officials said the encouraging response has prompted the civic body to consider launching the initiative on a larger scale from August.
Under the programme, Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) identify discarded plastic cans, bottles, cups, coconut shells, tyres, and other waste capable of holding stagnant water during routine inspections. Based on locations identified by DBCs, conservancy workers remove the waste after completing daily door-to-door collection. The collected materials are brought to a common collection point in each zone, where they are counted daily.
On the opening day, West and North zones competed. West zone collected 40,072 containers, North zone removed 33,759, taking the total to 73,831 containers, with West zone emerging victorious.
On Monday, Central and East zones participated. Central zone collected 1,48,000 containers, East zone removed 1,53,452, bringing the day's total to 3,01,452 containers. East zone won the round.
South and North zones competed on Tuesday. By Tuesday, nearly four lakh such discarded items had been collected, according to Corporation officials.
The five zones compete based on the number of potential mosquito breeding sources removed. Officials said the initiative was conceived to strengthen source reduction, one of the most effective methods of dengue prevention. Clearing discarded containers before they accumulate rainwater during the peak breeding season helps prevent mosquito breeding and reduce the risk of dengue transmission.
The pilot is being conducted for a week to assess its effectiveness and operational feasibility. The Corporation plans to organise a full-fledged competition for 10 to 15 days from August, with daily zone-wise rankings. Awards will be presented to the best-performing zone, and an outstanding sanitary inspector will be recognised as the “Player of the Series.”
“We introduced it as a simple idea and did not expect such an encouraging response,” an official said.
The recyclable plastic waste collected during the drive will be sold to authorised recyclers during the next disposal cycle, with the proceeds retained by the sanitation workers involved, officials added.
