Rajkot: The Rajkot Municipal Corporation will roll out an AI- and drone-based mosquito-control programme on Monday, using technology to map breeding hotspots across 162 sq km and carry out targeted larvicide spraying to curb vector-borne diseases.The initiative will be inaugurated by mayor Nehal Shukla at Ramanath Mahadev Temple, the civic body said in a statement.RMC said the programme will strengthen preventive measures against malaria, dengue and chikungunya through faster identification of mosquito-breeding sites.Under the initiative, 162 sq km of the municipal area will be mapped using an AI-based platform. The system will identify potential breeding sources, including under-construction buildings, water bodies and locations with accumulated clean or stagnant water where mosquitoes breed. RMC field teams will inspect the mapped sites and spray larvicide.A second set of drones will be used to treat locations where manual intervention is difficult such as rooftops of high-rise buildings, closed construction sites, large water bodies, overgrown plots and other unsafe or inaccessible areas.The civic body said the use of drones would speed up survey and treatment operations while improving coverage.RMC officials said the technology would complement existing mosquito-control measures and support early detection of breeding sites. The initiative is expected to provide a more scientific and targeted approach to controlling vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue and chikungunya.
