Noida Authority conducts sanitisation drive, uses drones for spraying disinfectant to contain COVID-19

NOIDA: As part of measures to contain the coronavirus from spreading further, the Noida Authority on Thursday (April 9, 200) conducted a sanitisation drive by using drones for spraying disinfectant in the region.

Sharing more details, CEO of Noida Authority, Ritu Maheshwari said, “The Noida Authority is conducting sanitisation drive across Noida, especially in the sealed areas. Also, drones are being used for spraying disinfectant. I want to appeal to all to stay at home and do not panic.’’

Additional Chief Secretary, UP Government, Awanish Awasthi had on Wednesday said that emergency vehicles and, if needed, drones would be used to monitor the areas, and no outsiders would be allowed in.

Besides, the Noida Authority has also set up a disinfectant tunnel at its office in Sector 6 to curb coronavirus COVID-19 spread in the area.

The ‘disinfectant tunnel’ is part of several efforts taken by the Noida Authority to prevent further spread of the deadly coronavirus. People who come at the authority’s office are advised to wash their hands and walk through the ‘disinfection tunnel’ for a few seconds during which sprayers overhead sprinkle protective substance on them.

The visitors can use the ‘tunnel’ one by one after ensuring that there is enough physical distancing between them. 

Though the ‘disinfection tunnel’ is not a substitute for handwashing and other protective measures, it would certainly supplement the regular disinfection measures over the surface.

All these developments took place a day after 22 COVID-19 hotspots were identified and sealed in the Noida district to contain the spread of coronavirus. The Noida administration also launched an integrated control room for meeting the needs of the public during these restrictions.

Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Suhas Lalinakere made this announcement in a tweet. "Integrated control room 18004192211, We are at your service," he tweeted. The administration is also mapping households with travel history. "Team 300 (Cluster containment) has visited 52,130 families so far. They found 338 persons with travel history. They are being monitored."

The District Magistrate announced these hotspots on Wednesday evening, which include 12 clusters, 10 epicenters, and 34 localities in total.

In Noida, entire Sectors 41, 27, 28, 44, 5, 8 and J.J. Colony will be sealed as they have been identified as hotspots, as they show a concentration of cases and pose the threat of further spread of the virus. The Uttar Pradesh government announced the hotspots in 15 districts which will be sealed for more stringent enforcement of the lockdown.

The hotspots also include Hyde Park, Sector 78, Supertech Cape Town, Sector 74, Lotus Boulevard, Sector 100, Alpha 1 in Greater Noida, Nirala Green Shire, Sector 2 in Greater Noida, Patwari village, Logix Blossom County, Sector 137, Noida, Paras Tierra and Wazidpur village.

The other hotspots are ATS Dolce, Zeta 1, Greater Noida, Ace Golfshire Society, Sector 150, Omicron 3, Sector 3 in Greater Noida, Mehak Residency, Achega on Greater Noida, Jaypee Wish Town, Sector 128, Ghodi Bacheda village, Stellar MI Omicron 3 in Greater Noida, Palm Olympia, Gaur City -2 in Greater Noida West, Sector 22, Chaudha village, Grand Omaxe, Sector 93-B, and Designer Park, Sector 62.

These areas will be sealed as per precautionary measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus which has so far claimed four lives across Uttar Pradesh. The state has reported 343 confirmed cases. Curfew-like measures will be implemented in these hotspots while normal lockdown measures will be in place in other areas.