Tambaram Corporation has collected ₹1.29 lakh in fines from 88 locations across its five zones after finding stagnant water that could support mosquito breeding, as the civic body intensified dengue preparedness in the southern Chennai suburb.
The corporation imposed fines on Monday on establishments that had allowed water to accumulate unchecked on their premises. The affected premises included construction sites, hostels, educational institutions and commercial establishments, according to the Times of India report citing the civic body.
Tambaram mayor Vasnathakumari said the corporation had earlier issued warnings to establishments that failed to take adequate preventive measures. The administration moved to financial penalties after several fever cases were reported, she said.
“ in the past, we have issued warnings to establishments not taking adequate preparedness measures. This time, we decided to impose fines because several fever cases have been reported. The institutions and construction sites were fined from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 on Monday,” the mayor said. The quotation has been lightly corrected for capitalisation while retaining its meaning.
The corporation warned that establishments allowing stagnant water to remain on their premises could face fines of up to ₹1 lakh. The enforcement action places responsibility on property owners, institutions and businesses to remove water-holding conditions within their sites, including areas associated with ongoing construction and commercial activity.
Stagnant water can collect in discarded materials and ordinary site equipment. The civic body urged residents to destroy or remove tyres, plastic articles, containers and other unwanted items capable of holding water. It also asked the public to report water stagnation in and around their premises.
The action highlights the operational role of municipal enforcement in disease preparedness. Construction sites and commercial properties can contain open containers, stored materials and low-lying areas where water remains after rainfall or routine activities. Under the corporation’s approach, inspections and penalties are being used alongside public instructions to reduce such breeding locations.
The corporation has also advised people with fever to seek treatment immediately at the nearest government hospital or Urban Primary Health Centre. Information related to fever can be reported through the toll-free number 1800 425 4355, according to a civic release.
The latest fines range from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 for the establishments penalised on Monday, while the corporation’s warning allows for penalties of up to ₹1 lakh in future cases. The civic body’s next steps are continued enforcement across its five zones and public reporting of stagnant water locations.
