Fogger machines on bikes are ridiculed by the public

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Shahed Shafiq
Published : 07:30, Aug 21, 2019 | Updated : 07:30, Aug 21, 2019

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has added fogger machines to motorcycles and pick-up vans to kill mosquitoesDhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has added fogger machines to motorcycles and pick-up vans to kill mosquitoes on the assumption that such steps would add pace to the current drive.

However, entomologists have deemed such actions infantile. They say that to kill mosquitoes, the focus should be on how to stop the production of larvae. Recently, motorbikes have been fitted with fogger machines. One person will ride the bike while another will spray medicines.

One such bike was given to cover ten zones on a test basis; every bike can be used to apply repellent over 2.25km of area per hour.

The bikes were provided by the local government minister, Md Tajul Islam and DNCC mayor, Atiqul Islam.

The mayor has reportedly ordered more such bikes with the DNCC already contacting motorbike marketing agency, Atlas Bangladesh.

However, entomologists are not thrilled about the motorbike project, saying the breeding ground of mosquitoes has to be destroyed.

The same sentiment was voiced by specialists from Kolkata.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has added fogger machines to motorcycles and pick-up vans to kill mosquitoes.City corporation workers point out that mosquitoes are born in water reservoirs, abandoned buildings, flower tubs, empty coconut shells and in stagnant water from air conditioners. Such places and various assorted items need to be cleaned.

Professor of Entomology of Jahangirnagar University, Professor Kabirul Bashar, said: “Mosquitoes cannot be   eradicated in such a way; their larvae must be destroyed.”

One motorcycle rider says: “People take us as a joke and laugh at us; we cannot spray anywhere but along the roads and  the noise upsets most people.”

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam says: “Walking is tiresome but if workers have bikes they will feel motivated to work; we will try to include modern technology to kill mosquitoes.”

We will also destroy larvae and bikes have been included to add pace to the mosquito-killing drive, said the mayor.

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