New Delhi, July 23, 2025 — Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav has raised serious concerns over the unchecked rise in waterborne diseases in the national capital, attributing the crisis to the inaction of the BJP-led Delhi Government and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). He criticized both authorities for ignoring the growing health threat posed by stagnant rainwater accumulated due to continuous rainfall over the last three weeks.
As per data available till July 16, Delhi has already seen 246 cases of dengue, 101 malaria cases, and 11 chikungunya infections, with no significant response from the administration. Yadav highlighted that key positions in the Domestic Breeding Checking (DBC) department remain vacant, hampering preventive action. He pointed out that a similar lack of preparedness during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party until 2024 had led to loss of lives due to delayed medical intervention.
Devender Yadav also criticized Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for prioritizing “event management” over public health. He warned that mosquito-borne illnesses could become deadlier if immediate corrective measures are not taken. In 2023 alone, malaria led to 30 deaths and dengue claimed 538 lives, while 6,391 dengue cases and 11 deaths were recorded in 2024.
Calling out selective governance, Yadav questioned why sanitation and health services are active only in NDMC’s elite zones, while the majority of Delhi residents in MCD areas are left exposed to health risks.
He further exposed MCD’s staff crisis: only 5 out of 12 epidemiologist posts are filled, 92 out of 150 malaria inspector posts are vacant, 391 of 600 assistant inspectors missing, and 279 of 5,176 MTS posts unoccupied. He also noted that nearly half the DBC workforce is threatening to strike, demanding permanent jobs, equal pay, and better facilities.
Urging swift government action, Yadav demanded immediate recruitment drives, robust fogging operations, door-to-door mosquito checks, and a city-wide awareness campaign. He emphasized that safeguarding public health must take precedence over political optics.
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