India’s railway industry is beset by problems with inadequate infrastructure, safety, and funding. Explain.
Cities are urban regions which harbor large volumes of economic, social, and political interactions. They tend to be the zones of productivity and creativity. However, a large volume of people within a narrow area poses threats to the potential outbreak of diseases. For this reason, urban planning aRead more
Cities are urban regions which harbor large volumes of economic, social, and political interactions. They tend to be the zones of productivity and creativity. However, a large volume of people within a narrow area poses threats to the potential outbreak of diseases. For this reason, urban planning and the construction of infrastructure facilities have proved crucial in prevention from the spread of infectious diseases.
Some of the critical ones include are:
1. Improved Sanitation Infrastructure: – There should be proper sewage disposal systems and sewage plants and proper storm water drainage systems to avoid the risk of water-borne diseases. – Proper collection, transport, and disposal of the solid wastes will help eliminate or at least minimize the chances of vector-borne diseases. – In the presence of a barrier of disease-causing organisms, a safe supply of water is an essential factor in health.
2. Urban Planning and Zoning: – In regulating the density and the zoning of certain parts of the city, it helps in reducing incidences of population explosions that lead to settlement patterns known as slums, which are unhygienic and prone to diseases. – The idea of provision of open spaces in the urban planning is yet another factor which relaxes the minds of city dwellers by enhancing the fresh air available to them and improvement of their mental health as well.
3. Public Health Infrastructure: Health Facility: Ensuring an adequate number of hospitals and clinics for diagnosing, treating, and controlling diseases. Health Education and Promotion : Health promotion activities can improve practice of hygiene, uptake of vaccines, and awareness on diseases control.
4. Community Participation: Community Involvement- it means that the community is involved in present issues and has a say in certain decisions made.
5. Social Mobilization: Improves outcome levels through community participation and population involvement in sanitation and hygiene activities.
These will then see healthier livable cities, less suffering from infectious diseases among urban dwellers thereby raising the general standard of living of such individuals.
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India has the fourth largest railway network in the world that runs almost 21000 trains carrying 23 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of freight per day. It also is the largest public sector employer with around 1.3 million employees. Although Indian Railways (IR) have come a long way in termsRead more
India has the fourth largest railway network in the world that runs almost 21000 trains carrying 23 million passengers and 3 million tonnes of freight per day. It also is the largest public sector employer with around 1.3 million employees. Although Indian Railways (IR) have come a long way in terms of the number of trains or the carrying capacity, there still remain wide gaps across the following areas that need a relook:
In this context, a slew of reforms to improve the functioning and redefine the role of Indian Railways must be in order. The government must implement all the appropriate recommendations of the Bibek Debroy Committee, execute safety action plans and other reforms to reinvigorate railway infrastructure in India. Many reforms are already underway such as elimination of all manned level crossings, setting up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC), Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat, and modernisation of railway stations and the recent proposal to merge railway services from 2021.
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