New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday initiated a special fogging drive to prevent the spread of dengue and chikungunya.

The month-long drive began from Kejriwal's official residence in north Delhi's Civil Lines area. 

"It is a special effort which the Delhi government has initiated to prevent the further spread of dengue and chikungunya," Jain said. Both the diseases are caused by mosquitoes.

The drive will be conducted from 7 to 11 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. every day till the end of October, Jain said. 

"The fogging will be done in every street and locality on alternate days. 

"The Chief Minister instructed us to start a special fogging drive. Today, we have launched this drive with around 200 fogging machines. The number of machines will be increased to 600 by September 26." 

The Aam Aadmi Party leader said the drive would be in addition to whatever steps the civic bodies in the city do. 

Jain appealed to people to contact their MLAs to get the fogging done in their areas.

The Delhi government has hired the fogging machines from professional agencies.

"The drive has been planned in a way that at least seven to eight fogging machines will be operational in every constituency at a given time," the minister added. 

Delhi has witnessed over 30 dengue and chikungunya related deaths this year.