Even
a high school kid will tell you that open drainage and cess
pools are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which in turn
lead to deadly infectious diseases. I was amused to note
the chief minister announcing a 5-day mosquito combat drive
as if you can make them vanish just like that! Such measures
might mitigate the problem to a certain extent but does
not offer lasting solutions. What is needed is a comprehensive
approach that encompasses multiple areas viz: a modern closed
drainage system, a toilet for every household, proper solid
waste disposal mechanisms and larval control. As many of
the infectious diseases are water-borne, clean, safe drinking
water should be a top priority. And if anyone tells us that
all these can be accomplished in a matter of few days, they
are just trying to hoodwink us.
And
natural calamities only invite knee jerk responses from
the government. It has become a routine for the government
to either seek central assistance for drought or funding
from international agencies for disaster relief in case
of floods. In spite of spending hundreds of crores, we still
do not have the benefit of a lasting solution for these
problems. In fact disaster relief has become a source of
funding to government! Only rarely is a programme like the
drainage improvement (initiated by Dr Channa Reddy in 1990)
implemented. And in case of drought relief the entire process
is so politicized, that the truly drought hit areas get
only a fraction of the total support and that too rarely
when they need it most.
While
due credit needs to be given to the Indian Railways for
managing such a complex organization which has helped the
nation in many ways, the fact of their appalling safety
record cannot be ignored. Yet, every time a major mishap
occurs, the response from the government is exactly the
same - announce an on the spot exgratia for the victims,
declare that a due enquiry would be conducted or blame miscreants
for sabotage. No one knows what is the result of the numerous
enquiry committees - or what came of their recommendations.
It is high time much needed investments are made to spruce
up the railway infrastructure and upgrade the safety systems.
There
are umpteen number of problems that need serious, careful,
long-term planning. Yet the only thing that our policy makers
seem to be capable of are either knee-jerk responses or
quick fixes. The need of the hour is prioritization of these
perennial problems and a methodical and systematic approach
for their resolution. Resources are not a constraint as
is amply borne out by the successful implementation of the
national highways project. What is needed is the political
will. The price we pay for inaction is incalculable in terms
of human life or long-term misery.
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