Pune Congress leader Ramchandra Kadam has given the Pune Municipal Corporation 48 hours to strengthen dengue prevention, improve sanitation and ensure free testing and treatment, warning that the party will protest outside the civic headquarters if action is not taken.
Kadam, the Congress group leader, said in a press statement that more than 2,009 dengue cases had been recorded in Pune this year, including about 600 cases in September. He identified Kothrud and the Aundh-Baner area as localities reporting the highest number of cases, while questioning the implementation of preventive measures there.
The figures and allegations were made by Kadam and were reported by Pune Mirror. The report does not include an immediate response from the PMC or an independent confirmation of the case count. Kadam accused the civic administration of holding meetings and issuing assurances without delivering visible action on the ground.
He cited accumulated garbage, clogged drains, potholes and unhygienic conditions in parts of the city as factors that could support mosquito breeding. Kadam also questioned whether fogging and insecticide spraying were being carried out regularly, saying that such measures appeared to exist only on paper in some areas.
The Congress leader said residents, particularly children and senior citizens, were facing the effects of the outbreak. He also alleged that patients were having difficulty securing hospital beds and accessing treatment. The report does not specify the number of hospital beds available, the facilities facing shortages or the number of patients affected.
The demands include special cleanliness drives in every ward, removal of stagnant water, regular garbage collection and immediate cleaning of drains. Kadam has also called for routine fogging and insecticide spraying in neighbourhood lanes and internal roads, along with daily public reports from the PMC detailing action taken in each area.
For treatment access, the Congress has demanded free dengue testing and treatment at all PMC hospitals, including NS1 antigen tests and platelet counts. Kadam said residents should not face additional hardship in obtaining diagnostic services or medical care during the outbreak.
Kadam has further sought accountability for officials in areas where dengue cases continue to rise. He demanded disciplinary action, including suspension, against officials found negligent in carrying out their responsibilities and called for the civic administration to identify those responsible for public-health works.
The ultimatum requires the PMC to respond within 48 hours. Kadam said Congress would stage a protest outside the PMC headquarters if the civic body failed to take what he described as concrete, visible and effective dengue-control measures.
