By: D.K Choudhary
Centre frames infrastructure policy to check challenges of urbanisation
i. The Centre has formulated the infrastructure policy to promote living close to mass public transport corridors like metro, monorail and bus rapid transit (BRT) on February 26, 2017
ii. Aim: To addressing the challenges of urbanisation.
iii. The new Policy seeks to promote Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
iv. The Ministry of Urban Development is also incentivising the TOD under new Metro Policy and Green Urban Mobility Scheme that seeks to create non-motorised transport infrastructure in cities like footpaths and cycle-tracks.
v. The Ministry’s initiative comes in the context of over 300 km of metro lines being operational in seven cities, while another 600 km of metro line projects being under construction in 12 cities and over 500 km projects under consideration.
vi. TOD policy is being taken up in Ahmedabad, Delhi, Naya Raipur, Nagpur and Navi Mumbai.
What is TOD ?
♦ A transit-oriented development (TOD) is a type of urban development that maximizes the amount of residential, business and leisure space within walking distance of public transport.
♦ The densest areas of a TOD are normally located within a radius of ¼ to ½ mile (400 to 800 m) around the central transit stop
Rajasthan Inaugurates Medical Project RAHAT for Prompt Treatment of Heart Disease
i. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated a medical project Rajasthan Heart Attack Treatment programme (RAHAT) on February 25, 2017 at the Eternal Heart Care Center Hospital in Jaipur.
ii. Raje also flagged off an ambulance fitted with equipment and trained paramedical staff required for treatment of heart disease.
iii. RAHAT programme aims to provide people in remote and rural areas with timely treatment during heart attacks. It has been launched by the private hospitals in the state.
iv. Under the programme, the patients facing heart attack would be provided with emergency ambulance service and telemedicine service through Eternal Heart Care Centre Hospital.
v. Patient would be given the basic treatment in the ambulance on the way to the nearest Heart Hospital and the same would be shared with the Hospital’s Command centre through GPS.
vi. Rajasthan has become the second state in India after Tamil Nadu to launch proragmmes against Heart Diseases.
vii. Rajasthan has launched several initiatives to boost the medical and health sector of the state such as Arogya Rajasthan, new medical colleges and Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana etc.
