Latest news with #Sarthi
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Rapid urbanisation fuels alarming heat surge in Bihar
1 2 Patna: As skyscrapers rise and roads widen, Bihar's cities are paying the price of progress – in degrees. Rapid urbanisation across Patna and other key urban centres in recent decades has dramatically altered local microclimates, giving rise to a growing and dangerous phenomenon – the urban heat island (UHI) effect. With the mercury hitting record highs and heatwaves becoming more frequent, experts warn the situation is no longer just uncomfortable but a looming crisis. According to a recent study published in 'Nature' journal, Indian cities are warming at nearly twice the rate of their surrounding regions. While climate change is pushing up global temperatures, the study reveals that urban centres are experiencing a unique kind of acceleration – a "selective warming" linked directly to city development. This phenomenon, dubbed urbanisation-driven warming, is reshaping the climate profile of cities like Patna. The findings are stark – cities are warming at an average of 0.53°C per decade with urbanisation alone contributing 0.2°C to that rise. In effect, urban areas are warming nearly 38% faster than non-urban areas. Unsurprisingly, Patna now ranks among India's top ten cities most impacted by urbanisation-induced temperature rise, alongside Pune, Raipur, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Nashik, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Vadodara. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "The contribution of urbanisation was observed to be higher in cities in the eastern and central Indian regions," the study noted – a direct nod to Bihar's scorching capital. Dr Pradhan Parth Sarthi, a fellow of the Indian Meteorological Society and head of the environmental science department at the Central University of South Bihar, has been closely monitoring the urban heat island intensity (UHII) across the state. "A significant increasing trend of UHII is found in Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya and Purnia, besides Patna, particularly during December, January, February and April," he said. "UHII during winter is becoming more intense and significant, which may be due to a remarkable increase in night-time temperatures over urban areas." Between 2001 and 2014, Sarthi and his team recorded the highest UHII in Patna, followed by Bhagalpur, Gaya, Muzaffarpur and Purnia. "Extreme UHII over Patna, compared to other cities, may be seen as an impact of fast urbanisation. In Patna, the peak difference in temperature between urban and rural areas was observed to be 4.17°C," he said, citing research published in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Science. "Patna is growing at a rapid pace compared to other places, and hence the greater rise in temperature," he added. But the consequences go far beyond discomfort. "Fast urbanisation has been adversely affecting water resources, agriculture and vegetation," said Sarthi. "Changes in rainfall patterns over urban areas may lead to severe depletion of groundwater resources. A strong increase in extreme precipitation indices under global warming conditions highlights the potential exacerbation of urban flooding risks and infrastructure strain in future," he added The culprit, according to experts, is the concrete jungle itself. Dr Ashok Kumar Jha, a physics teacher at Patna University, said, "Urbanisation in the form of large-scale construction of concrete structures – residential buildings, offices, roads – significantly contributes to the development of the UHI effect, which is making cities warmer than the surrounding rural areas. Cities often have less greenery, which would otherwise provide shade and cool the air through evapotranspiration. " Higher temperatures come with a high cost. "They lead to increased use of air conditioning, resulting in higher energy bills and strain on power grids," Jha said. "Moreover, urban heat islands can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Rise in temperatures can substantially increase air pollution by increasing the formation of ground-level ozone and other pollutants," he added. To counter the crisis, Jha advocates for greener, smarter urban design. "Provision of more green spaces, parks and gardens in cities and use of light-coloured or reflective materials in pavements to reduce heat absorption would help. Promoting vegetation on rooftops to provide insulation and reduce heat absorption would also provide great relief to the city dwellers," he said Environmentalists echo this urgency. Mehta Nagendra Singh said, "India's urban centres are facing a compounded heat crisis, a result of both global climate change and local urban mismanagement. The UHII effect magnifies this crisis, turning cities into heat traps where both day and night temperatures threaten health, productivity, and quality of life." His prescription? "To reverse or contain this trend, cities must adopt aggressive climate resilience strategies – not just policy-driven, but ground-level interventions such as green roofs, heat-resilient infrastructure, protected urban forests, and public awareness campaigns."
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
U.P. targets 50% cut in road deaths by 2030: Transport commissioner
Uttar Pradesh aims to reduce road accident fatalities by 50% under its 'Vision 2030' roadmap, with regional inspectors (RIs) playing a crucial role, transport commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh said on Sunday at the National Regional Inspectors' Conference. RIs handle key responsibilities, driving tests, fitness certification, ATS operations, and enforcement, while also feeding into policy and procedural upgrades. (Sourced) Singh called for sustained effort from all levels of the transport department, describing the target as more than just an administrative commitment. He stated that the state was implementing the 5E strategy, Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency, and Environment, in line with national road safety objectives. Singh highlighted the growing role of digital tools and platforms such as Sarthi, Vahan, e-Challan, iRAD (integrated road accident database), e-DAR (electronic detailed accident report), and VLTD (vehicle location tracking device). He added that AI-based chatbots and faceless services were transforming the sector. 'RIs are the bridge between advanced technology and on-ground enforcement,' he said. RIs handle key responsibilities, driving tests, fitness certification, ATS operations, and enforcement, while also feeding into policy and procedural upgrades. Over 250 automated driving testing centres (ADTCs), 75 driving training centres (DTCs), over 10 institutes of driving and traffic research (IDTRs), and 16 driving training and testing institutes (DTTIs) are under development across the state, with each district to have three ATS units. Singh urged RIs to evolve into data-driven, AI-capable professionals. 'Any misuse of authority or bias can damage the credibility of the entire system,' he warned.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Dalit family demolishes temple they built after embracing Christianity in Chhattisgarh; Hindutva brigade protests
RAIPUR: Tension prevailed at Bhatanpali after a Dalit family that got converted into Christianity dismantled a temple built by them, leading to a protest by cadres of Bajrang Dal in the outskirts of Chhattisgarh's Raigarh town. The police arrested five, including three members of the Dalit family after the incident. A senior police officer told TNIE that the Sarthi family had built the temple in 2020 on government land, though there was no idol placed inside and only the structure existed. The family accepted the Christian faith a year ago, and the temple was dismantled by a JCB machine. "As the news spread, a group of Bajrang Dal cadres arrived and, claiming that their religious sentiments were hurt, attempted to reach out to a nearby church to vandalise it in retaliation, but the police intervened and prevented it," the officer said. The existing church was built on private land some 25 years ago.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kataria seeks solutions as PGI grapples with patient overload
Chandigarh: PGI, a premier tertiary care hospital, is grappling with a significant patient overload, with over 8,000 patients visiting its OPDs daily. This influx of patients, not only from Chandigarh but also from neighbouring states like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand, has prompted Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to seek immediate solutions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During his keynote address at the one-year celebration of Project Sarthi at PGI on Monday, the UT administrator addressed the issue. He acknowledged the long waiting time at PGI and emphasised the need to streamline patient flow. "Give some suggestions so that the smaller hospitals can manage the non-referral cases and ease off patient load in PGI," he urged the PGI Director. He said, "You can send some senior representative on Tuesday for suggestions and we can chart a road map for decongestion of the institute to reduce the long waiting hours here." The Governor stressed that PGI, being a tertiary care institution, should ideally handle complex and referred cases. However, a large number of patients seeking treatment could be managed effectively at secondary or even primary healthcare levels. He emphasised that by strengthening the capabilities of smaller hospitals, the burden on PGI can be reduced, allowing the institute to focus on critical cases. The Governor also lauded the efforts of Project Sarthi and its National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers. "A little support can save time, ease stress, and transform a patient's experience," he stated, highlighting the project's reach to over 400 hospitals. He expressed his vision for expanding such initiatives, stating, "I believe this project has the potential to change healthcare, not just in one place, but nationwide—starting with Punjab and Udaipur, and spreading wherever patients need it most." He also emphasised the importance of starting similar services in other hospitals. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a related development, sources indicate that the UT Administrator will soon be visiting civil hospitals in the city to assess the patient services and identify areas for improvement. Governor Kataria also made a special request to the PGI Director, asking for incentives to be given to all the NSS volunteers of the Sarthi project, including a group photograph with him and other senior doctors at PGI, recognising their valuable contributions. The PGI administration gave certificates to a few NSS volunteers who worked in the Sarthi project. Hailing from the background of a teacher, the UT Administrator said, "If all the children were given the certificates or even called on the stage for a group photograph with me and other senior doctors here, it could leave a lasting impression on their minds." Soon after, the volunteers were called on stage for a group photograph with the volunteers. MSID:: 120902494 413 |
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
PGI's project Sarthi struggles with volunteer training, patient assistance
Chandigarh: The PGI's ambitious project Sarthi, designed to aid patients with volunteer support, is facing challenges due to the insufficient familiarity of student volunteers with the hospital's layout. Launched on May 6 last year, the project engages National Service Scheme (NSS) students to assist patients in navigating the OPDs, locating test centres, and accessing other necessary services. PGI even requested the ministry of health and family welfare to consider emulating their model, and the ministry's governing body recently discussed the initiative. While PGI administration claims that the NSS volunteers participating in project Sarthi underwent comprehensive training and capacity building to effectively assist patients, manage queues, provide information, and ensure smooth navigation within the hospital premises, ground realities paint a different picture. "The volunteers were unaware of the X-ray department and were seen asking patients to decongest the pathways," a patient visiting the OPD said. PGI administration reported that around 42% of first-time visitors utilised Sarthi services, significantly reducing their average wait time from 4.2 hours to 2.8 hours. "However, if volunteers lack basic knowledge of the hospital layout, the reported reduction in wait times may not reflect a genuine improvement in patient experience," said a former PGI faculty member. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Addis Ababa: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo PGI proposed to its governing body, chaired by the Union minister of health, to consider Sarthi in the management of patient care. Thereafter, the body took note of the information and directed the institute to send details of the initiative's outcome to the ministry for examination. During times of strikes in PGI, the administration has taken help from the volunteers to manage the patient queue. "Many years ago, this project started in PGI, and the students were assigned work in certain areas so that they were not confused. However, this time most of the volunteers are so young that they are not taken seriously by any patient or visitor," said an employee in PGI.
