A mosquito terminator train has been launched by Delhi's civic bodies to minimize the threat of vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya. It will spray anti-larvae chemicals up to 60-metres on both sides of the railway tracks across the national capital.

A power sprayer mounted on a truck placed over the special train will spray the chemicals in water bodies, pits and jhuggi jhopri clusters along the tracks. The train will run for 10 days until October 2, including 10 round trips.

The East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) authorities had started the drive from early September.

"It is an effective effort to eliminate the menace of dengue, malaria and chikungunya. Precautionary measures will save thousands of people living near railway tracks from these vector-borne diseases," said Nirmal Jain, Mayor, EDMC.

The train would move at a speed of 20 km per hour and would cover a distance about 150km in each round.

Delhi has recorded 96, 42 and 97 cases of dengue, chikungunya and malaria, respectively, until September 5. No death due to these vector-borne diseases has been reported to date.