Delhi’s draft Dengue Action Plan 2025 outlines stringent measures, including increased penalties for mosquito breeding and the appointment of nodal officers in all private and government establishments.
The draft, accessed by PTI, is part of a broader strategy to counter the seasonal surge in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases, particularly ahead of the upcoming monsoon. It proposes amendments to Section 428 of the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957, to hike fines for premises found breeding mosquitoes. While the specific penalty amount is yet to be detailed, the proposal underscores a shift toward stronger legal enforcement. A key highlight of the plan is the directive for all offices, including hospitals, to appoint nodal officers responsible for keeping their premises free from mosquito breeding. This move aims to decentralise accountability and improve vigilance across the city. In a multi-agency approach, the Public Health Department will oversee regular surveillance, issue legal notices, and coordinate across departments. Meanwhile, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been tasked with fixing water leakages, ensuring uninterrupted piped water supply to reduce unsafe storage, and eliminating stagnant water at construction sites and valve chambers.
Educational institutions will also play a role. The Education Department has been instructed to develop age-specific curriculum modules on mosquito prevention and integrate awareness drives into daily assemblies. Engineering and civic departments, including the Public Works Department and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, have been directed to design water-tight infrastructure and ensure proper land levelling to avoid water accumulation — a common breeding ground for mosquitoes. “Every year, we stress prevention, and awareness is key. Diseases like dengue can be controlled through simple hygiene practices, but unfortunately, people tend to neglect them,” a senior Health Department official said. He added that the final version of the plan is ready and will be released shortly. As part of intensified pre-monsoon efforts, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, in coordination with agencies like Delhi Police and the Archaeological Survey of India, is already working to prevent the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Delhi reported 11 dengue-related deaths in 2024, down from 19 in 2023 and 23 in 2021, but higher than the 9 in 2022 and 1 in 2020. Authorities hope the new action plan will help reverse the trend and make the capital more resilient against seasonal outbreaks.
