RS MPs flag railway traffic woes, gaps in maternal scheme
Two Rajya Sabha members on Thursday raised concerns over infrastructure deficits — one highlighting severe traffic congestion at railway crossings in Uttar Pradesh, and the other pointing to inadequate healthcare facilities for pregnant women in States like Jharkhand.
During Zero Hour, BJP member Sangeeta Balwant said that thousands of commuters face daily traffic jams at railway crossings in Ghazipur, Varanasi, and surrounding areas due to prolonged gate closures.
She sought the construction of overbridges or underpasses at crossings, including Jamania, Dildar Nagar, Bhadoura, Sahidpur, Sahedi, Maharajganj, Phullanpur and Dullapur Bazaar. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) member Mahua Maji raised concerns over the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), which aims to reduce high-risk pregnancies and maternal deaths.
She said while some States are receiving specialist doctors, advanced diagnostic facilities and digital health support, States like Jharkhand with weak health infrastructure and higher maternal mortality rates are struggling.
DMK MP Tiruchi Siva demanded that the Centre immediately publish the Archaeological Survey of India’s report on the Keezhadi excavations, saying the delay amounts to “denying the opportunity to the Tamil people to understand their rich culture and heritage”. He raised the issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House.
Raising concerns over the impact of the National Green Tribunal’s coal mining ban in Meghalaya, Dr Wanweiroy Kharlukhi called upon the Centre to expedite the process of allowing scientific mining in the state, warning that the prohibition has created conditions for drug smuggling to flourish in former coal-mining areas.
Raising the matter during Zero Hour, the National People’s Party MP said the ban, imposed in 2014, has dealt a severe blow to thousands of families dependent on coal for their livelihood.
AAP leader Raghav Chadha sought key amendments to the Copyright Act of 1957 to safeguard the interests of digital content creators, saying their livelihoods should be determined by law and not by “arbitrary algorithms”.
JMM member Mahua Maji raised concerns over implementation of PMSMA, which aims to reduce high-risk pregnancies
