Content :
- Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign on the occasion of World Immunization Week
- India’s Record Cargo Movement on Inland Waterways
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda launches National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign on the occasion of World Immunization Week
Policy Initiative & Context
- Campaign Launch: National Zero Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign launched virtually on April 24, 2025.
- Occasion: World Immunization Week (24–30 April).
- Goal: Elimination of Measles and Rubella by 2026 through 100% immunization coverage.
- Approach: Adopt “ACT NOW” policy — similar to previous polio and tetanus elimination efforts.
Relevance : GS 2(Health)
Rubella (German Measles)
- Cause: Caused by the Rubella virus; usually mild but dangerous in pregnancy.
- Impact on Pregnant Women: Can causeCongenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) — leading to heart defects, deafness, and intellectual disability in newborns.
- Transmission: Spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- Symptoms: Mild fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes; often goes unnoticed in children.
- Prevention: Two-dose MR vaccine is highly effective; focus on vaccinating adolescent girls and women of reproductive age.
Measles
- Cause: Caused by the Measles virus; one of the most contagious viral diseases.
- Transmission: Spreads through air via coughing/sneezing; remains infectious in the air for hours.
- Symptoms: High fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, followed by red rash.
- Complications: Can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death — especially in malnourished children.
- Prevention: Two-dose MR vaccine provides lifelong protection; coverage needed >95% for herd immunity.
Vaccination Status & Targets
- Current Coverage (2024–25 HMIS):
- 93.7% for first dose (MR1)
- 92.2% for second dose (MR2)
- Target: >95% coverage with two doses in every district.
Progress & Achievements
- 332 districts reported zero measles cases (Jan–Mar 2025).
- 487 districts reported zero rubella cases in the same period.
- 2024 Award: India received the Measles and Rubella Champion Award by the MR Partnership in Washington D.C.
Strategic Pillars of MR Elimination Framework
- Immunization: High coverage of 2-dose MR vaccine (9–12 & 16–24 months).
- Surveillance: Case-based surveillance through IDSP.
- Outbreak Preparedness: Timely response to outbreaks.
- Demand Generation: Mass awareness campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy.
- Integration: Coordination with line ministries and Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation).
Campaign Implementation Tools
- IEC Material Released: Multilingual posters, jingles, awareness films.
- Digital Support: Use of U-WIN platform for tracking, certification, appointments.
Government & Stakeholder Involvement
- Call to Action: State Health Ministers, MLAs, MPs, Panchayat heads to engage public.
- Target Groups: Focus on outreach to:
- Remote/hard-to-reach areas
- Slums
- Migrant populations
- Frequent outbreak zones
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) Overview
- Coverage: World’s largest vaccination drive.
- 2.9 crore pregnant women
- 2.6 crore children annually
- Includes Protection Against: 12 VPDs like Polio, Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Rotavirus, etc.
- Impact: Under-5 mortality reduced from 45 (2014) to 32 (2020) per 1,000 live births.
India’s Record Cargo Movement on Inland Waterways
Context : Record Performance and Growth
- India recorded 145.5 million tonnes (MMT) cargo movement in FY 2024–25, a significant rise from 18.1 MMT in FY 2013–14 — CAGR of 20.86%.
- Reflects consistent year-on-year growth, including a 9.34% increase from FY 2023–24.
- Five bulk commodities (coal, iron ore, iron ore fines, sand, fly ash) made up 68% of total cargo, highlighting IWT’s growing role in heavy industry logistics.
- Passenger traffic also increased, reaching 1.61 crore in 2023–24, indicating multi-utility usage.
Relevance : GS 3(Infrastructure)
Infrastructure Expansion
- Number of National Waterways increased from 5 to 111; operational length expanded from 2,716 km (2014–15) to 4,894 km (2023–24).
- Infrastructure upgrades include:
- Multi-Modal Terminals at Varanasi, Sahibganj, Haldia; Inter-Modal Terminal at Kalughat.
- Community jetties, floating terminals, navigational locks.
- Introduction of Hybrid Electric and Hydrogen-powered vessels for greener operations.
Policy Push and Incentives
- Jalvahak Scheme (2024) launched with ₹95.42 crore outlay:
- 35% operating cost incentive for shifting cargo to IWT.
- Scheduled services on NW-1 (Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra), NW-16.
- Tonnage tax extended to inland vessels for fiscal predictability.
- National Waterways (Jetties/Terminals) Regulations, 2025: enabling framework for private investment.
Multimodal Integration
- Terminals handed over to Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Port to ensure seamless port–inland waterway integration.
- Rail-road connectivity being established to cargo aggregation hubs at Varanasi and Sahibganj via NHLML & IPRCL.
Digitisation and Ease of Doing Business
- Digital tools introduced:
- LADIS (Least Available Depth Info System)
- RIS (River Information System)
- PANI, Car-D, and MIRS for real-time navigation and logistics tracking.
- Centralised portal in development for vessel and crew registration, mirroring road sector’s Vahan-Sarathi system.
Strategic Diplomacy and Regional Connectivity
- Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route strengthened:
- Routes 5 & 6 (Maia–Sultanganj) trialled successfully; regular movement to begin post Bangladesh approval.
- Enhances regional trade and transit, especially for Northeast India.
Industrial Coordination and Aggregation
- Over 140 PSUs engaged to shift cargo to IWT.
- Ministries like Coal, Petroleum, Fertiliser, Steel aligned with Maritime India Vision for modal shift.
- Freight Villages and Logistics Parks in pipeline to mitigate sparse industrial base near waterways.
Strategic Goals and Vision
- Modal share target: Raise IWT share in freight from 2% to 5%.
- Cargo movement targets:
- 200+ MMT by 2030 under Maritime India Vision 2030.
- 500+ MMT by 2047 under Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision.
- Aligns with India’s climate goals, cost-effective transport ambitions, and “Gati Shakti” logistics masterplan.
