Tata Steel surveys nearly 4.9 lakh houses in intensified dengue prevention drive
PINAKI MAJUMDAR Jamshedpur, October 26: Tata Steel has intensified its dengue prevention campaign across Jamshedpur, surveying nearly 4.9 lakh houses and eliminating…
PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, October 26: Tata Steel has intensified its dengue prevention campaign across Jamshedpur, surveying nearly 4.9 lakh houses and eliminating more than 26,000 potential mosquito breeding sites as part of efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
Implemented through Tata Steel UISL, the campaign has covered 4,89,601 houses during the current dengue season. Field teams have identified and eliminated 14,193 indoor and 11,855 outdoor mosquito breeding sites.
The surveillance data indicate progress in source-reduction efforts. The average House Index (HI), an indicator of Aedes mosquito breeding, stood at 2.7 between April and September, below the operational target of less than five. The index declined further to 2.4 in September.
Awareness drive reaches schools and residential communities
Under its #PaltiMaar3 campaign, Tata Steel has expanded awareness activities across schools and residential areas. The initiative has included 212 awareness programmes and 104 street plays in educational institutions to educate students about dengue prevention.
Field teams have also conducted more than 4.40 lakh door-to-door health interactions, encouraging residents to identify mosquito breeding sites and adopt preventive measures at home.
The campaign aims to make dengue prevention a regular household practice rather than a seasonal exercise.
To encourage public participation, 92 information, education and communication (IEC) van-cum-container collection drives have been organised across the Tata Steel UISL service area. The specially designed vehicles collect discarded tyres, containers and other objects that can accumulate stagnant water while spreading awareness about the risks of mosquito breeding.
Notices issued over mosquito breeding
Enforcement measures have also been stepped up. As many as 2,654 instances of mosquito breeding have been reported to the Jamshedpur Notified Area Committee (JNAC), while 2,115 notices have been issued to households and premises where breeding was detected.
According to figures available as of September 9, 2026, Jamshedpur district had reported 21 confirmed dengue cases, including nine within the Tata Steel UISL service area.
Following the detection of positive cases, response teams carry out focused surveillance, eliminate breeding sources, conduct awareness activities and undertake fogging in affected localities.
Tata Steel has emphasised that fogging alone cannot eliminate dengue, as Aedes mosquitoes commonly breed in small containers and other objects holding stagnant water in and around homes.
“Tata Steel continues to strengthen dengue prevention through intensive surveillance, awareness campaigns and source-reduction activities.
However, active citizen participation remains the most effective defence. A small weekly effort by every household can make a significant difference in protecting families and communities,” said an official.
Residents urged to follow weekly dry day
Residents have been urged to spend 10 minutes every week checking water storage containers, coolers, flower pots, rooftops, tyres and discarded objects for stagnant water.
The company has called on citizens to observe a weekly dry day under the #PaltiMaar campaign, reinforcing the message: check, clean and cover to help keep Jamshedpur safe from dengue.
