In the State capital, which has 172 coronaviruspositive cases, the highest when compared with other districtsin Tamil Nadu, Greater Chennai Corporation officials usedrones in densely populated neighbourhoods like Thiru-Vi-KaNagar as children watch the drive with curiosity from theirbalconies.
"We are using drones in densely populated areas andthe results are good," an official said adding about sixlitres of disinfectant liquid was being used for a singletrip.
The children are attracted to the buzz of drones whichthey call a mini-helicopter.
Mist cannons which are huge blowers are mounted ontrucks that go around spraying disinfectant fumes in downtownareas and in other containment zones in addition to localitiesof positive patients.
Butterfly sprinklers -swings up and down like abutterfly's wings when dispensing the disinfectant fog- placedon the rear of tractors are also being used by the civic bodyfor clean up work.
Anti-bacterial fluid containers connected to jet sprayguns are taken in light cargo vehicles to easily navigatenarrow alleys in city neighbourhoods.
Germicide and bleaching powder was being sprinkled onall roads, alleys and intersections.
Volunteers wearing artistically designed 'coronavirus'crowns are also helping authorities in several areas to drivehome the message of social distancing, personal hygiene andthe need to stay indoors.
Officials came up with a fresh idea to goad people touse the disinfectant tunnels set up in six locations inTiruvannamalai district.
"Come inside (the tunnel), are you coming in or shallI (coronavirus) come (infect you) ?" the tagline in Tamil,embossed on the tunnel's facade asks.
In Tamil, the slogan is more punchy as it has strikingcolloquial words used everyday to convey the message ('Ulleyvaaaa.. nee varriyaa..illa naan varatta !').
The sprawling Aarani Fort and Isanya grounds inTiruvannamalai district that house the temporary vegetablemarkets are among the places where the disinfectant tunnelshave been set up.
People visiting the markets cannot miss the tunnels asthey are placed prominently and public walk through thepassage fitted with sprayers and sprinklers after and beforetheir purchase.
Cheyyaru and Vandavasi bus termini in the districtalso have the disinfectant walkthrough arrangement.
Tamil Nadu has a total of 911 coronavirus cases andTiruvannamalai district 10 as on April 10 evening. VGNSS