In big Indian cities the Railway track has virtually become an open toilet or a dustbin with worst possible site particularly in the morning hours. The storey is not different be it Central Railway Track in Mumbai or any track in Delhi.
So far, the problem has been viewed in terms of encroachment in the railway track, which somewhat needs to be, stopped. However, this approach is bound to fail in prevailing circumstances as it is a part of the larger problems being faced by Indian cities. There are encroachments in different part of the cities where large number of squatters and slums have come up. These are obviously illegal yet all the municipal services are extended to them. The dustbins are cleaned, sewerage system provided and area is swept by municipalities despite knowing the fact that these are illegal settlements. Neither we can stop people coming to cities nor they can be pushed out of these areas.
What is needed is a strategy with double edges where basic amenities are provided alongside the preventive measures. Railway being a big land owner has responsibility towards clean and hygienic environment. Though the expenditure should be partially or fully born by the municipalities and State Governments. We have to construct a large number of toilets in vicinity of railway tracks. Some world players like JCDecaux can be involved in this process as some good solutions have been provided by them in European cities. A variety of public utility infrastructure is displayed in their workshops in Paris and other places some of which may prove useful in the context of railway. They have also arrangements for revenue generations through advertisement where the maintenance is also done by the firm as is the case of new bus-queue-shelters coming up in New Delhi
Cleanliness is also paramount for show casing railway and its huge infrastructure, and the old buildings as heritage tourism. The railway track needs to be developed in the same way as riverfronts have been developed in European cities. Trees can be planted along the track particularly of the variety which do not grow oversize.
Few good DPRs can be immediately produced under JNNURM by railways. The State Governments are also very liberal in the area of public hygiene.
I feel that few structural changes may also be helpful. A full fledged Health Branch under Medical Department is needed in railways where doctors having specialization in the public health can also be inducted. As of now only Indian Army is having that type of set up. I think a new initiative is required at apex level.
Hira Ballabh IRAS-92
Dir. Finance
New Delhi Municipal Council.
So far, the problem has been viewed in terms of encroachment in the railway track, which somewhat needs to be, stopped. However, this approach is bound to fail in prevailing circumstances as it is a part of the larger problems being faced by Indian cities. There are encroachments in different part of the cities where large number of squatters and slums have come up. These are obviously illegal yet all the municipal services are extended to them. The dustbins are cleaned, sewerage system provided and area is swept by municipalities despite knowing the fact that these are illegal settlements. Neither we can stop people coming to cities nor they can be pushed out of these areas.
What is needed is a strategy with double edges where basic amenities are provided alongside the preventive measures. Railway being a big land owner has responsibility towards clean and hygienic environment. Though the expenditure should be partially or fully born by the municipalities and State Governments. We have to construct a large number of toilets in vicinity of railway tracks. Some world players like JCDecaux can be involved in this process as some good solutions have been provided by them in European cities. A variety of public utility infrastructure is displayed in their workshops in Paris and other places some of which may prove useful in the context of railway. They have also arrangements for revenue generations through advertisement where the maintenance is also done by the firm as is the case of new bus-queue-shelters coming up in New Delhi
Cleanliness is also paramount for show casing railway and its huge infrastructure, and the old buildings as heritage tourism. The railway track needs to be developed in the same way as riverfronts have been developed in European cities. Trees can be planted along the track particularly of the variety which do not grow oversize.
Few good DPRs can be immediately produced under JNNURM by railways. The State Governments are also very liberal in the area of public hygiene.
I feel that few structural changes may also be helpful. A full fledged Health Branch under Medical Department is needed in railways where doctors having specialization in the public health can also be inducted. As of now only Indian Army is having that type of set up. I think a new initiative is required at apex level.
Hira Ballabh IRAS-92
Dir. Finance
New Delhi Municipal Council.
