The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 27th February 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The bigger tragedy is the Railways and its systemic inertia

Why is it News?

• The overwhelming crowd at railway stations during the Kumbh Mela reveals the outdated approach of the railway system towards passenger safety.

Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station

• The recent incident at New Delhi railway station on February 15 underscores systemic failures that stem not from a lack of resources but from negligence.
• A stampede can be prevented by ensuring smooth movement, eliminating bottlenecks, and having adequate barricading and security personnel.
• These crucial crowd control measures were overlooked, resulting in chaos.

Deeper Systemic Issues in Indian Railways

• Lack of Proactive Planning. The Railway system fails to implement preemptive crowd control measures despite the predictability of passenger surges during festivals and special occasions.
• Information Dissemination Failure. There are ineffective methods of conveying critical information to passengers regarding platform changes, delays, or crowd flow.
• Weak Crowd Management. The absence of effective mechanisms such as separate entry and exit routes, controlled access points, or real-time monitoring to regulate large crowds is evident.
• Inadequate Security and Personnel. There is insufficient deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and a lack of coordination among railway staff during peak travel times.
• Overburdened Staff. The volume of passengers is not handled adequately due to insufficient staffing, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance among the staff.
• Overcrowding in Unreserved Coaches. The high demand for unreserved travel without structured ticketing limits creates excessive rush and safety hazards.
• Lack of Independent Accountability. Investigations are carried out by railway officials instead of independent safety bodies, resulting in minimal corrective actions.
• Outdated Infrastructure. Narrow platforms, congested staircases, and escalators lacking emergency stop mechanisms contribute to bottlenecks during surges.

Measures to Prevent Future Incidents

• Preemptive Planning for Crowds. Special arrangements, including crowd control zones and staggered train schedules, should be made in advance during festivals.
• Effective Communication Strategies. Utilizing public address systems, digital displays, and mobile alerts to provide timely information to passengers.
• Enhanced Crowd Control Mechanisms. Implementing separate entry and exit points, unidirectional movement policies, and holding areas to avoid congestion.
• Increased Security Personnel Deployment. Stationing more RPF personnel and trained staff at high-risk stations during peak hours.
• Regulated Ticketing System. Introducing online pre-booking for unreserved coaches to limit excessive crowds.
• Independent Safety Audits. Conducting safety reviews by external agencies and enforcing recommendations before major events.
• Infrastructure Upgrades. Widening platforms, installing emergency stop buttons on escalators, and improving signage for better passenger guidance.

Conclusion

Ensuring passenger safety in the Indian Railways necessitates proactive planning, improved infrastructure, and independent accountability. Without fundamental reforms, such tragic incidents are likely to recur, jeopardizing countless lives.

The impact of ethanol on the environment

Why in News?

The EBP programme is beneficial as it reduces oil imports and supports farmers. However, there are significant concerns regarding environmental pollution and water contamination caused by ethanol factories that need to be addressed.

Introduction to the EBP Programme

• The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme aims to reduce energy consumption, lower oil imports, and decrease carbon emissions from vehicles.
• Ethanol is produced using grains like broken rice and corn, which is expected to benefit farmers financially.
• In 2020, the government decided to advance the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025.

Current Status and Production Requirements

• As of 2024, India achieved a 15% ethanol blend in petrol.
• To meet the 20% target by 2025-26, the country would need 1,016 crore litres of ethanol.
• The government eased environmental clearance processes and provided subsidies to support ethanol production.
• States like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Punjab have the highest number of ethanol factories.
• In 2022, India had a total ethanol production capacity of 947 crore litres.

Environmental and Social Concerns

• Villages in Andhra Pradesh have seen continuous protests against the EBP programme since 2024.
• Many ethanol factories are located near rivers and canals, which are primary sources of drinking and irrigation water.
• Reports indicate that some factories have been discharging harmfuleffluents into water bodies, affecting farmers.
• Officials failed to act against pollution violations in some factories despite prior knowledge.

Lack of Transparency in Environmental Clearances

• Environmental clearances for ethanol factories often do not mention emissions.
• Scientists warn that ethanol plants release hazardous chemicals like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acrolein.
• Despite falling under the ‘red category. (pollution score of 60 or more), ethanol plants were exempted from public hearings for faster approvals.
• Many factories are located near human settlements, raising health concerns.

Water Consumption and Agricultural Impact

• A grain-based ethanol factory requires 8-12 litres of water per litre of ethanol.
• With declining water levels in major rivers like Krishna, factories rely on groundwater, which is against regulations.
• Farmers fear that excessive water consumption by factories will leave little for their crops.

Balancing Environmental and Industrial Goals

• A report suggests that a 20% ethanol blend reduces carbon monoxide emissions by 30% in four-wheelers and 50% in two-wheelers.
• Environmentalists argue that pollution from ethanol production offsets these benefits.
• Industrialists claim pollution control measures are expensive due to high production and labour costs.

Conclusion

 Governments must address pollution, water scarcity, and health risks while ensuring sustainable ethanol production. A greener future should not come at the cost of agriculture, health, and people’s rights to natural resources.