PMC seeks reports from health inspectors after fogging outside prescribed hours in Kothrud

Dengue cases are rising in Pune, and the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) own health department has been found breaking the set dengue-prevention guidelines. After cases of fogging being carried out in open areas and outside the prescribed hours, the administration has sought reports from the health inspectors concerned. The information came to light on November 4, 2026.

The PMC health department has been fogging regularly across the city to keep the mosquito population in check. But after restrictions were placed on daily fogging, the work is now mainly done in areas where dengue cases have been found.

Under the schedule, fogging in residential areas should take place between 7 am and 10 am and between 5 pm and 8 pm. Even so, there have been cases in which staff were allegedly fogging at the wrong time and without following the prescribed method.

On Tuesday, November 3, residents of Ramabag, LIC Colony, Girija Society and the More Vidyalaya area in Kothrud saw health department staff fogging from a vehicle between 11 am and 12 noon.

Residents questioned the staff about the timing and then complained directly to PMC Additional Commissioner Pavneet Kaur. After the complaint, the administration acted and the fogging was stopped. Explanations and reports have now been sought from the staff and health inspectors concerned.

Dr Rajesh Dighe, the PMC's assistant health officer, said: "The main purpose of fogging is to kill adult mosquitoes. In the morning, larvicidal and ovicidal chemicals are sprayed to destroy larvae and eggs. But fogging meant to kill adult mosquitoes should be done in the areas concerned either in the morning or in the evening only."

Dr Dighe also said that whenever a dengue case is found, spraying for mosquito control is done inside the patient's home and in the surrounding area.

He added: "There are written government guidelines for these procedures and staff have been trained accordingly. However, in slum areas, where houses are close against one another, fogging is done in the spaces between houses and on the roads."