Enhancing Rail Safety and Speed: A Critical Imperative for India

It is critical to increase rail safety in India as a result of the recent terrible crash in Balasore, Odisha, which caused serious injuries and fatalities. India has to make investments in its rail network in order to keep up with improvements in air and land transportation.

Rail System in India Faces Safety Issues

Train Accidents: Derailments and crashes involving trains have occurred in India, posing a serious safety risk. Numerous things, including track flaws, signalling errors, human error, and equipment breakdown, might contribute to these incidents.

Overcrowding: Overcrowded trains, especially during peak travel times, raise safety concerns. Passengers boarding overcrowded coaches may face difficulties in movement, increasing the risk of falls, accidents, and potential stampedes in emergency situations.

Level Crossings: Unmanned level crossings and inadequate safety measures at crossings pose a significant safety challenge. Accidents occur when vehicles or pedestrians cross railway tracks without proper warning systems, leading to collisions with trains.

Inadequate Safety Infrastructure: The absence of modern safety infrastructure, such as advanced signalling systems, Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems, and train control mechanisms, can compromise safety standards. Outdated equipment and infrastructure increase the risk of accidents.

Maintenance and Inspections: Insufficient maintenance practices and inadequate inspection protocols can result in safety hazards. Timely inspection of tracks, bridges, signals, rolling stock, and electrical systems is crucial to identify and rectify potential risks.

Encroachment on Tracks: Unauthorized encroachments near railway tracks, including slums, settlements, and informal markets, pose safety risks. These encroachments increase the likelihood of accidents and hinder effective track maintenance and monitoring.

Human Factors: Human error, including negligence, fatigue, and inadequate training, can contribute to safety incidents. Ensuring well-rested and properly trained staff, including drivers, guards, and maintenance personnel, is essential to mitigate human-related safety risks.

Security Concerns: Security threats, including theft, sabotage, and acts of terrorism, pose safety risks for passengers and railway operations. Ensuring robust security measures and coordination with law enforcement agencies are crucial to maintain a safe railway environment.

International Comparison of Railway Safety

Developed Countries: Countries with well-developed railway systems such as Japan, China, Turkey, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have significantly better railway safety records compared to India. Stringent safety regulations, advanced infrastructure, modern signalling systems, and effective maintenance practices contribute to their superior safety standards.

Passenger Train Speeds: In developed railway systems, most passenger trains operate at much higher speeds compared to India. For instance, Japan’s Shinkansen, China’s high-speed trains, and European high-speed rail services commonly achieve speeds of 200-350 kmph, ensuring efficient and safe travel. This stands in contrast to India’s average train speeds of approximately 50 kmph.

Safety Performance Ranking: If a ranking of major railways based on safety performance were to be made, India would likely place slightly higher than countries such as Egypt, Mexico, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Pakistan. This suggests the need for improvement to match the safety standards of leading railway systems.

Infrastructure and Network Length: China, with its similar geographic size and population, provides a relevant comparison for India. China has made significant strides in expanding and modernizing its railway network. By surpassing India’s total route length and investing in infrastructure upgrades, China has been able to enhance safety and accommodate growing passenger and freight demands effectively.

Technological Advancements: Developed countries have embraced advanced technologies and innovations to enhance railway safety. These include state-of-the-art signaling systems, automated train control mechanisms, and advanced maintenance practices. India can draw lessons from their successful adoption of these technologies to improve safety standards.

Engaging States in India’s Energy Transition: A Multi-Scale Approach

India plans to provide a diverse approach to energy routes at the upcoming G20 summit that takes into account the various national circumstances and development paths. India can effectively fulfil its climate commitments and inspire actions at the regional level by bridging the gap between national goals and State-level execution.

Why States Matter in India’s Transition to Clean Energy?

Implementation and Achievement of National Objectives: While the central government sets objectives and offers assistance, the achievement of these goals ultimately depends on how well they mesh with local priorities and resources. In order to accomplish national energy goals, states operate as the domains of execution, and their active involvement is crucial.

Addressing Legacy Issues: The electricity sector in India faces challenges such as high losses, unreliable supply, and poor service quality. These issues are deeply rooted in the State-level political economy and must be addressed at the regional level. States are responsible for tackling these legacy issues, which can be exacerbated during the energy transition if left unaddressed.

Laboratories of Policy Innovations: States in India have been instrumental in driving policy innovations, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Early initiatives taken by States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu have significantly contributed to the uptake of renewable energy at the national level.

Roadblocks or Support for National Goals: States can either facilitate or hinder the achievement of national energy goals, depending on their perception of alignment with State priorities. If the national goals are perceived as misaligned or imposing undue burdens on certain States, they may become roadblocks to progress.

Regional Diversities and Opportunities: India is a vast and diverse country with significant regional variations in resources, economic development, and social priorities. States have unique contexts, capabilities, and opportunities that need to be taken into account during the energy transition. Recognizing and engaging with State-level diversities is essential for developing targeted and effective policies that consider regional nuances.

Insights from Achievements and Challenges of India’s energy transition

Partial Achievement of Targets: While India made significant progress towards its 2022 target of 175 GW renewable energy capacity, it was not fully achieved. This highlights the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to successful implementation at the State level.

Regional Disparities: Only a few States, such as Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, were able to meet their individual renewable energy targets. The concentration of renewable energy capacity in certain regions, particularly in the west and south of India, highlights the need for a more balanced and inclusive distribution across States.

Implementation Challenges: The energy transition faces implementation challenges related to various factors such as land availability, infrastructure development, policy framework, and financial viability. These challenges vary from State to State and require tailored solutions to overcome barriers and ensure smooth implementation.

Importance of State-Level Support: State governments play a crucial role in driving the energy transition. States with supportive policies, favorable regulatory frameworks, and proactive engagement have demonstrated higher success rates in achieving renewable energy targets.

Learnings from State-Level Experiments: Successful State-level initiatives in renewable energy, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan’s early adoption of solar energy and Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu’s focus on wind energy, provide valuable lessons for scaling up renewable energy adoption at the national level.

Addressing Legacy Issues: Legacy issues in the electricity sector, such as high losses and unreliable supply, pose challenges to the energy transition. These issues are deeply ingrained in the State-level political economy and require targeted interventions and reforms to ensure a smooth transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.

Balancing National Goals and State Priorities: State priorities and goals may sometimes differ from national objectives, creating potential roadblocks. It is crucial to align national goals with State priorities and consider regional contexts to build consensus and ensure that the energy transition is inclusive and equitable.

Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in the Pandemic Treaty

The Pandemic Instrument, commonly known as the “pandemic treaty,” was shared with Member States at the World Health Assembly in its most recent iteration.

Removal of AMR Mentions: It soon became clear that the Pandemic Instrument might remove any references to combating antimicrobial resistance.

Describe AMR.

The emergence of resistance in microbes to medications that were earlier successful against them is known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Drugs used to kill or control microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites, can cause them to develop a “immune” response.

Antibiotic misuse or overuse may be a factor in the emergence of AMR.

Concerning the Pandemic Treaty

Work on the Pandemic Instrument was started in December 2021.

Objective: The instrument aims to protect nations and communities from future pandemic emergencies under the WHO’s Constitution.

Importance of Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Calls for Inclusion: Civil society and experts, including the Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, have emphasized the inclusion of AMR in the Pandemic Instrument.

Not Limited to Viruses: Not all pandemics in the past or future are caused by viruses, with bacterial pandemics like plague and cholera being devastating examples.

Impact of Bacterial Infections: Bacterial infections cause one in eight deaths globally and contribute to the rise of drug-resistant infections.

Need for Comprehensive Pandemic Preparedness

Wider Range of Threats: Planning and developing effective tools to respond to a broader range of pandemic threats, beyond viruses, is crucial.

Secondary Bacterial Infections: Even in viral pandemics like COVID-19, secondary bacterial infections become a serious issue, requiring effective antibiotics.

Concerns over Potential Removal of AMR Measures

Risk to Future Pandemics: The removal of AMR measures from the Pandemic Instrument could hinder efforts to protect people from future pandemics.

At-Risk Measures: Measures at risk of removal include better access to safe water, infection prevention and control, integrated surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Strengthening the Pandemic Instrument to Address AMR

Inclusion of AMR Measures: Measures to address AMR can be easily incorporated into the Pandemic Instrument.

Recommendations for Inclusion: Recommendations include addressing bacterial pathogens, tracking viral and bacterial threats, and harmonizing AMR stewardship rules.

Efforts to Highlight AMR in the Pandemic Instrument

Involvement of Specialized Organizations: Civil society and research organizations participated in the WHO’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, providing analysis on AMR in the draft.

Publication of Special Edition: Leading academic researchers and experts published a special edition outlining the importance of addressing AMR in the Pandemic Instrument.

Current State and Next Steps

Concerns over Removal: Insertions related to AMR are at risk of removal after closed-door negotiations by Member States.

Importance of the Pandemic Instrument: The instrument is vital for mitigating AMR and safeguarding antimicrobials for treating secondary infections in pandemics.

Global Political Action: Collaboration and collective efforts are needed to address AMR and support the conservation and equitable distribution of safe and effective antimicrobials.

Safeguarding Antimicrobials for Future Pandemic Response

Undermining Goals: Missing the opportunity to address AMR in the Pandemic Instrument undermines its broader goals of protecting nations and communities.

Core Role of Antimicrobials: Antimicrobials are essential resources for responding to pandemics and must be protected.

Call for Strengthened Measures: Member States should strengthen measures to safeguard antimicrobials and support actions for conserving their effectiveness within the instrument.