27 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The bigger tragedy is the Railways and its systemic inertia

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Stampede At New Delhi Railway Station

• The recent stampede at New Delhi railway station on February 15 highlights systemic failures that are not due to a lack of resources but rather negligence.
• A stampede can be avoided by ensuring smooth movement, eliminating bottlenecks, and having adequate barricading and security personnel.
• These essential crowd control measures were ignored, leading to chaos.

Deeper Systemic Issues in Indian Railways

• Lack of Proactive Planning – Passenger surges during festivals and special occasions are predictable, yet Railways fails to implement preemptive crowd control measures.
• Information Dissemination Failure: Ineffective methods of conveying critical information to passengers regarding platform changes, delays, or crowd flow.
• Weak Crowd Management – No effective mechanisms such as separate entry and exit routes, controlled access points, or real-time monitoring exist to regulate large crowds.
• Inadequate Security and Personnel – Insufficient deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and lack of coordination among railway staff during peak travel times.
• Overburdened Staff: Insufficient staffing to handle the volume of passengers, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance.
• Overcrowding in Unreserved Coaches – High demand for unreserved travel without structured ticketing limits creates excessive rush and safety hazards.
• Lack of Independent Accountability – Investigations are conducted by railway officials instead of independent safety bodies, leading to minimal corrective actions.
• Outdated Infrastructure – Narrow platforms, congested staircases, and escalators without emergency stop mechanisms contribute to bottlenecks during surges.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.
• Enhanced Crowd Control Mechanisms – Implement separate entry and exit points, unidirectional movement policies, and holding areas to avoid congestion.
• Increased Security Personnel Deployment – More RPF personnel and trained staff should be stationed at high-risk stations during peak hours.
• Regulated Ticketing System – Introduce online pre-booking for unreserved coaches to limit excessive crowds.
• Independent Safety Audits – External agencies should conduct safety reviews and enforce recommendations before major events.
• Infrastructure Upgrades – Widening of platforms, installation of emergency stop buttons on escalators, and improved signage for better passenger guidance.

Conclusion 

• Ensuring passenger safety requires proactive planning, better infrastructure, and independent accountability in Indian Railways.
• Without systemic reforms, such tragedies will continue to recur, endangering countless lives. 

2. The impact of ethanol on the environment

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Introduction to the EBP Programme

• The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme was introduced in India as a pilot project in 2001.
• In 2020, the government decided to advance the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to 2025.
• The 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.

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 harmful effluents 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. 

Read more – 26 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis