All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC) Initiative: Establishment of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at Important Railway Stations
The All India Rail Safety Council (AIRSC) is a leading organization committed to enhancing safety in the railway sector across India. With a vision to integrate healthcare services within the railway ecosystem, AIRSC has meticulously studied the feasibility of setting up Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) at major railway stations across the country.
Rationale and Key Considerations:
India's Rail Passenger Volume: Around 23 million passengers travel daily on various trains across India, necessitating accessible healthcare facilities at railway stations.
Medical Assistance for Traveling Passengers: AIRSC aims to provide medical treatment for passengers who fall sick during travel.
Railway Accident & Emergency Response: On average, 360 railway accidents and other untoward incidents are attended annually, requiring swift medical intervention.
Emergency Medical Treatment: Timely and emergency medical support for sick travelers is a priority.
Pre-Employment Medical Examination (PEME): Ensuring that only fit and suitable candidates are recruited for railway services. Approximately 50,000 candidates undergo medical examination annually.
Periodical Medical Examination (PME): Ensuring that 1,20,000 railway employees are medically fit for their jobs, particularly those directly impacting railway safety.
Medical Boards & Certification: Providing necessary medical certifications for railway personnel.
Monitoring and Reducing Man-Days Lost Due to Sickness: Currently, only 2% of workdays are lost due to sickness, effectively controlled by medical officers.
Establishment of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs):
AIRSC’s initiative aims to make generic medicines and essential healthcare products accessible to railway passengers, employees, and the general public. PMBJKs will provide commonly used generic drugs covering all major therapeutic categories, ensuring affordable and high-quality healthcare.
The PMBJP scheme will expand to offer a complete spectrum of healthcare products and services.
By March 2019, the product basket is projected to include 800 drugs and 154 surgical items, with future expansions incorporating stents and medical replacements.
Target Beneficiaries:
The establishment of PMBJKs at railway stations will be particularly beneficial for:
Senior Citizens – Ensuring affordable healthcare solutions.
Destitute Ladies – Offering accessible medical support.
Handicapped Individuals – Providing necessary healthcare facilities.
Low-Income Housewives – Enhancing affordability and availability of medicines.
Rail Passengers & General Public – Creating a robust healthcare system integrated into the railway network.
This initiative by AIRSC aligns with the national objective of providing affordable healthcare while ensuring railway safety and well-being. The establishment of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras at major railway stations will significantly improve healthcare accessibility for millions of passengers, railway employees, and the public at large.
Dr. R. Padmanabhan
Chairman
All India Rail Safety Council
India’s First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge: The New Pamban Bridge
On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu, marking a major milestone in India’s infrastructure journey. This state-of-the-art structure is India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, connecting Rameswaram Island with mainland India across the Palk Strait.
Replacing the original Pamban Bridge built in 1914, which featured a cantilever design with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span, the new bridge addresses the limitations of the aging structure that struggled to meet modern transportation demands and endured harsh marine conditions.
Sanctioned in 2019, the bridge was designed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) using advanced engineering techniques. Spanning 2.07 kilometers, it features a 72.5-meter navigational lift span that can be raised up to 17 meters, allowing large ships to pass through smoothly. Built 3 meters higher than the old bridge and constructed with stainless steel reinforcements and corrosion-resistant coatings, it promises a lifespan of over 100 years.
Notably, the bridge's substructure is future-ready for dual tracks, though currently it supports a single line. It incorporates modern construction methods like the Auto Launching Method and hydraulic jacking to manage the challenges of a remote marine environment.
The New Pamban Bridge is a testament to India’s engineering innovation, resilience in overcoming environmental challenges, and commitment to connectivity and regional growth. With this project, India joins the league of nations with iconic vertical lift bridges, showcasing its capability in world-class infrastructure development.
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