Metrorail project areas at higher dengue risk | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2025
Metrorail project areas at higher dengue risk

Bangladesh

Tawsia Tajmim
19 August, 2019, 08:40 pm
Last modified: 20 August, 2019, 03:32 pm

Related News

  • World Bank to provide $280m loan to improve Ctg water supply, sanitation
  • Dengue in children: Doctor shares warning signs for parents to watch out
  • Regional connectivity projects face unprecedented delays after political changeover
  • Bay Terminal: Tk14,908cr support project set for final govt approval
  • Matarbari deep-sea port construction deal with Japanese firms likely this month

Metrorail project areas at higher dengue risk

Rina Alam is an example of tens of thousands of people living along the project area

Tawsia Tajmim
19 August, 2019, 08:40 pm
Last modified: 20 August, 2019, 03:32 pm
A construction worker at the Metrorail project washing his hands with stagnant water near Banglamotor area in the city on Monday. Still water is one of the key breeding grounds of dengue virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes/ Photo: Mumit M
A construction worker at the Metrorail project washing his hands with stagnant water near Banglamotor area in the city on Monday. Still water is one of the key breeding grounds of dengue virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes/ Photo: Mumit M

Safety measures from keeping home windows shut to using mosquito nets and keeping flowerpots clean could not save Rina Alam, who lives along the Metrorail project area in Mirpur-11 in Dhaka, from getting dengue.   

She has been suffering from the Aedes mosquito-borne infection from the day before Eid. Last year her daughter got infected with dengue. 

Rina Alam is an example of tens of thousands of people living along the project area. Some have been suffering from dengue fever while others are having to fend off attacks by Aedes mosquitos. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

A recent government survey has also found a concentration of virulent Aedes mosquitos in the Metrorail project areas. 

The study by the disease control unit at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), found that 40 percent to 60 percent of the mosquito larvae in project areas are of the Aedes variety and can propagate dengue. 

In the survey carried out between July 31 and August 4 in 14 areas in the capital, the DGHS found the Breteau Index – a way of measuring the level of mosquitos – at over 20 in 12 of the areas. 

Entomologist Khalilur Rahman of the disease control unit told The Business Standard that there is a high risk of getting the infection if the Breteau Index is found to be over 20 in an area. 

Work on the Metrorail project is underway between Uttara and Motijheel via Pallabi, Mirpur and Farmgate. The disease control unit carried out the survey at Mirpur-12, and included the project area to the list of areas at risk of the Aedes mosquitoes. 

Experts say that big development projects such as the Metrorail are major breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. Local people say that neither the city corporations nor the Metrorail authorities use insecticide on stagnant water in project areas. 

“The mosquito menace has increased recently in our area. It was far lower earlier,” Fahima Karim Pushpita, a resident of Pallabi for 25 years, told The Business Standard. 

“Water collects in the pits and holes in the Metrorail construction sites. Though the city corporations are seen to use insecticides on roads and back-alleys, but they are never seen clearing stagnant water or using insecticides in project areas.”

Professor Kabirul Bashar at the zoology department of Jahangirnagar University said Aedes mosquitoes will breed wherever there is stagnant water. 

“It is very hard to prevent waterlogging in the Metrorail project areas. The waterlogged pits cannot be filled because the construction is ongoing. That is why mosquito breeding in the pits has to be stopped by using insecticides and bleaching powders. If it continues, the situation will take a turn for the worse next year.”  

During his recent visit to Dhaka, BN Nagpal, senior entomologist for the Southeast Asia region of the World Health Organization, said that Aedes mosquitos can breed in clear water. 

“Infrastructure projects are a major source of larvae of Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue prevalence could be reduced by 40 percent if Aedes larvae are destroyed in the infrastructure projects.” 

He suggested routine surveillance so that there is no waterlogging in project areas, and called for punishing project authorities if they do not make an effort to restrict breeding grounds.   

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, a government organisation, has been implementing the project. When contacted, MAN Siddique, project director of the company, refused to make any comment over the phone on this issue. He suggested that the reporter come to meet him in person at his office. 

The disease control unit holds mosquito surveys three times a year – first at the beginning of the rainy season, then during the rainy season, and finally at the end of the season. 

After the first survey in March this year, the unit had forecast a rise in the mosquito menace along with an increased risk of dengue. 

Then the unit carried out a regular survey between July 17 and 27 when they found a 14 percent increase in the mosquitos in the two city corporation areas in Dhaka. 

During this period, dengue cases broke all previous records, prompting the authorities to go for the additional survey.

The disease control unit described the Kalshi ECB Chattar and the Bhasantek slums less at risk because it found fewer than 20 percent larvae in the areas. 
 

Top News

Dengu / in / project / areas

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus (L) and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (R). Photo: BSS
    UK PM to visit Canada, will meet CA if schedule matches: CA press secy
  • Sketch: TBS
    Parliamentary polls in April: Could late elections undermine credibility?
  • Demonstrators react to crowd control munitions being shot at them as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in downtown Los Angeles, California, U.S. 10 June 2025. Photo: REUTERS
    US Marines arrive in LA; California governor warns 'democracy under assault'

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • Screengrab from video shows a group of local youths forcing tourists to leave a tourist spot in Utmachhra area of Sylhet's Companiganj on Sunday, 8 June 2025, citing allegations of obscene activities and environmental damage
    Locals declare tourist spot in Sylhet 'closed', force visitors to leave
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook
  • Photo shows the Land Cruiser Prado car belonging to former member of parliament (MP) Anwarul Azim Anar found in Kushtia. Photo: TBS
    Luxury car of ex-AL MP Anar, who was killed in Kolkata, found in Kushtia

Related News

  • World Bank to provide $280m loan to improve Ctg water supply, sanitation
  • Dengue in children: Doctor shares warning signs for parents to watch out
  • Regional connectivity projects face unprecedented delays after political changeover
  • Bay Terminal: Tk14,908cr support project set for final govt approval
  • Matarbari deep-sea port construction deal with Japanese firms likely this month

Features

Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

16h | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

3d | Bangladesh
Illustration: TBS

Unbearable weight of the white coat: The mental health crisis in our medical colleges

6d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Is the chief adviser's meeting with the British Prime Minister uncertain?

Is the chief adviser's meeting with the British Prime Minister uncertain?

35m | TBS Stories
Aviation giants Airbus, Menzies seek long-time partnership with Bangladesh

Aviation giants Airbus, Menzies seek long-time partnership with Bangladesh

1h | TBS Stories
Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

Greta Thunberg deported from Israel

18h | TBS World
BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

BNP is not a revolutionary party: Mirza Fakhrul

19h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net