Mon Oct 06 19:11:30 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
MCD workers in Delhi are on strike for the eighth day, demanding regularisation, equal pay, and better benefits. The strike, involving over 5,000 workers, has led to a halt in mosquito-control services, coinciding with a surge in dengue, malaria, and chikungunya cases. AAP councillors and IVP leaders have voiced their support for the striking workers, criticizing the BJP-ruled MCD for neglecting employee welfare and public health.
**News Article:**
**Delhi Grapples with Mosquito-Borne Disease Surge as MCD Workers’ Strike Cripples Vector Control**
**New Delhi, October 7, 2025** – Delhi is facing a mounting public health crisis as a strike by Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) workers enters its eighth day, crippling essential mosquito-control services. Over 5,000 MCD employees, including domestic breeding checkers and field workers, have been on strike since September 29th, demanding regularisation of their positions, equal pay for equal work, and improved benefits such as medical leave and compensation for families of deceased employees.
The strike coincides with a surge in vector-borne diseases across the capital. According to MCD data, Delhi has already recorded 431 malaria, 840 dengue, and 75 chikungunya cases this year. The past week alone saw the highest number of new cases this year, with 60 malaria, 81 dengue, and 14 chikungunya cases reported.
With workers off the job, essential mosquito-control measures like fogging, spraying, and water tank checks have been suspended, exacerbating the situation.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillors, led by Leader of Opposition Ankush Narang, have joined the protests, accusing the BJP-ruled MCD of “criminal neglect” of both its employees and the public’s health. “These workers have been laboring in disease-prone conditions for decades but are still denied basic rights,” said Narang. “Their demands are completely justified.”
Indraprastha Vikas Party (IVP) leader Mukesh Goyal echoed the concerns, urging swift action from the Mayor and MCD Commissioner. “Fogging and spraying have completely stopped, leading to a rapid increase in vector-borne diseases,” Goyal stated. He also criticized AAP for politicizing the issue, pointing out their lack of action for these employees during their time in power in the MCD.
The ongoing strike and escalating disease outbreak have raised serious concerns about public health preparedness in Delhi. Critics claim the situation underscores the failure of the city’s administration to prioritize both worker welfare and disease prevention. With no immediate resolution in sight, Delhi residents face a heightened risk of contracting these debilitating diseases.
First Piper 