In a move to combat the spread of the dengue virus, the Metropolitan Municipal Corporation and district council have given their approval to a plan aimed at completely cleaning all 56 graveyards in Rawalpindi, as well as all government and private open plots in the district.
According to sources, Rs10.337 million has been allocated to conduct spraying and weeding in different areas of the city to stop the spread of dengue. The current state of neglect in cemeteries throughout the city has resulted in the proliferation of weeds, wild plants, insects, and even snakes. Moreover, due to the accumulation of rainwater in many areas, these cemeteries have become breeding grounds for dengue larvae, causing concern for public health.
In a recent development, an amount of Rs7.373 million has been approved to clean graveyards in district council areas, while an additional Rs5 million has been allocated for cleaning work in city graveyards. The cleaning of city graveyards is scheduled to take place on May 8, whereas the tender for the cleaning of graveyards in district council areas will be awarded through an auction on May 3, 2023.
It has also been decided that standing rainwater in graveyards will also be cleaned. This contract will remain in effect for the entirety of the dengue season. In addition, the authorities have been instructed to utilise the latest pumps for spray, which will not only eliminate all weeds but also prevent their regrowth for the next six months.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd, 2023.
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