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to eradicate mosquitoes. This year, Tk 17.40 crore has been proposed for waste management and mosquito eradication.

Anisur Rahman, chief conservancy officer, said black oil (80 percent diesel and 20 percent furnace oil) is being sprinkled in city drains to prevent mosquito breeding. “We also buy larvicide, adulticide, various oils, to spray those round the year.

“Every day, 31 conservancy workers spray those in 31 wards under the city corporation. Besides, 31 temporary workers help them in this regard,” he said.

However, they face challenges to clean the drains as most of them are choked with garbage and polythene used by city dwellers, he alleged.

KCC Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque said it is a continuous process to spray mosquito insecticide and clean drains.

“After taking charge for the third term, I urged the city dwellers to clean their household properly and refrain from throwing garbage into drains. But most of them do not follow the directions,” he said.

“It’s not possible for the city corporation alone to eradicate mosquitoes... everyone should come forward and assist us,” he added.

Khaleque said KCC is now implementing phase-1 of a drainage project worth Tk 823 crore, which will mitigate the mosquito menace.