Patna, Sept. 22: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) is never short of gadgets. While most of the fogging machines at its disposal are not being used, the civic body has been allotted four more machines in the wake of dengue scare.

The health department last evening handed over the machines to the PMC.

They will be put to use in a day or two, Patna mayor Afzal Imam told The Telegraph today.

The official said most of the machines lying with the PMC were being used regularly. He refused to accept that only one machine was being used at the moment.

“It is certainly not the case. We have fogging machines, which are being used in areas like Bankipur and Patliputra. We accept the fact that the one for Kankerbagh area is not working at the moment. But we have received four more machines on Tuesday. We will start using them from Thursday or Friday,” the mayor said.

He added that full-fledged fogging would start by the end of this week in Patna City area.

Apart from the fogging machines, PMC has also received pesticides, which can kill mosquito larva.

“The civic body has received it and its spraying will start in all the areas of Patna by tomorrow. This is in addition to the spraying of bleaching powder, which is already being done. We are doing whatever we can to keep the city clean. The garbage is being cleaned at regular intervals. The spraying of the new chemical with the help of machines will also start everywhere including the Patna City,” Imam said.

Sources in the PMC said only one fogging machine was operational at present.

The corporation has got three big machines in addition to 10 mini-fogging machines.

The state government, under PMC budget for 2009-2010, had allotted Rs 40 lakh for the use of fogging machines under normal and special circumstances.

Apart from these, sources said around 144 handy fogging machines were also not being used, as there were no trained men in the PMC to use the machines.

However, the mayor said: “We have adequate men and resources. We accept that there are a few areas, which we need to stress on. PMC is working on it. Our men are trained for the job.”

PMC officials said that fogging would continue in different areas of Patna for around two weeks at a stretch.

On the other hand, people complained that fogging was not carried out in many areas of the city.

“I have not seen any fogging being done for the past few days. PMC should religiously get on with the preventive measures. A lapse can result in some serious consequences for the citizens,” said Raghunath Sharan, a Kankerbagh resident.

People also complained that no fogging has been carried out in areas like Boring Road or the Nala Road.

Some alleged that fogging was done only in posh areas.