Patients may experience post-COVID symptoms up to 3-6 months after recovery, do not panic, get conditions evaluated by a physician: Pulmonologist Dr. Nikhil Bante

Consume protein, vegetables, phyto-nutrients, adequate water to help body regenerate in post-COVID period: Clinical Nutritionist Ishi Khosla

"If our food is not good for body, it also disturbs our mood, a reason for psychological symptoms in post-COVID period"

New Delhi/Mumbai, June 15, 2021

Does the fight against COVID-19 really end once a negative report comes? What early warning signs to look out for? What sort of food or nutrition should be taken? PIB’s Webinar held today (June 15, 2021) had answers to all these questions. Nutritionist Ishi Khosla and Pulmonologist Dr. Nikhil Narayan Bante explained about Post-COVID symptoms, how to tackle it and also how nutritious food can help us to fight COVID and in recovery post-COVID.

Dr. Nikhil Narayan Bante, Lungs and TB Specialist, pointed out that a large number of COVID recovered patients are facing post-COVID-19 syndromes in the second wave of the pandemic.  “Around 50%-70% of patients may experience minor or even major symptoms up to 3-6 months after recovering from COVID-19 and is observed more in those patients who had moderate or severe form of the infection”, he added

Excerpts from the webinar on post-COVID as explained by Dr. Nikhil Narayan Bante:

What is post-COVID-19 Syndrome?

Majority of COVID patients recover in 2 - 4 weeks. However, in some patients, the COVID symptoms persist beyond four weeks – a condition known as Acute Post COVID Syndrome.  If the symptoms remain even after 12 months, it is known as Post COVID Syndrome

Most common post-COVID-19 symptoms:

1. Weakness / fatigue
2. Difficulty in breathing
3. Palpitation
4. High sweating
5. Joint and muscle pain
6. Loss of taste and smell
7. Sleep disturbances

Psychological symptoms post-COVID:

1. Depression
2. Anxiety

Reasons behind post-COVID-19 symptoms?

There are two major reasons for post-COVID-19 symptoms:

1) Virus-related:- Coronavirus affects not only our lungs, but can affect all organs including liver, brain and kidney. So, our body takes time to recover from the infection

2) Immunity-related: - Our immune system becomes hyperactive due to the entry of the virus. In the fight between the body and the virus, various chemicals are released which cause inflammation in our organs. In some patients, the inflammation persists for longer duration.

Some common post-covid syndromes

Thromboembolism is the most feared post-COVID-19 condition. It is the obstruction of a blood vessel by blood clots. It can even result in heart attack or stroke, depending on where the clots occur. However, thromboembolism is being observed only in less than 5% of patients recovering from COVID-19.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition in which early signs of blood clot in lungs are shown. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing and fall in blood pressure. Such patients need to be hospitalized immediately and evaluated.

High D-Dimer levels:

Severe to serious patients and those with high D-Dimer levels may require therapeutic anti-coagulants during hospitalization as well as in the post-COVID-19 period for 2-4 weeks. But anti-coagulants should be taken on physician's reference and in a guarded manner.

Chronic Cough:

Another major post-COVID-19 infection is chronic cough or post infection cough. Dry cough can persist after recovery due to infection in our airways and resultant inflammation. Cough can persist also due to stiffness of lungs when recovery process begins. Deep breathing exercises for patients experiencing dry cough is recommended.

Cough Fatigue:

Post-Covid patients often complain about cough fractures. They may feel pain in the rib-cage towards the lower side of chest, due to chronic cough. It is important to evaluate this condition also. Costochondritis or pain in the rib-cage may be caused after recovery due to inflammation during COVID.

Pulmonary fibrosis

Yet another feared post-COVID syndrome which occurs due to scarring which is when lungs recover from COVID. Scarring does not become clinically significant in 90% of the patients. However, 10% of the patients may need long-term supplemental oxygen. “It is more likely to occur in COVID-19 patients whose lungs got damaged to the extent of above 70%. Even among such patients, lung fibrosis is found only in around 1% of them.

Those who had moderate to severe COVID-19 and were on oxygen therapy, may get lung function tested after a month of recovery. To understand whether lung capacity has been fully restored and oxygen extraction capacity has been completely reinstated to previous levels, suggested the chest specialist. He further informed that many patients recovering from COVID-19 experience chest pain and fear they are getting heart attack. But, heart attacks have been observed only in less than 3% of the patients recovering from COVID. 

Post-COVID Nutrition Management:

Clinical Nutritionist Isha Khosla  stated that 94% of people who died due to COVID-19 had succumbed because of co-morbidities, which has a common thread of inflammation.  Hence, our diet should be anti-inflammatory and we need to eat right, keep our body fit and keep our immune system intact, she suggested.

Sufficiency of Proteins in diet

Proteins should be present in our diet in a focussed manner and, atleast, in two meals, said Ms Khosla. Further, we should pair vegetables with proteins, which will lead to digestion of food in a balanced manner.

Nutritional Supplements

The Clinical Nutritonist cautioned about the usage of nutritional supplements and advised to use it judiciously.  “Zinc, Vitamin C and Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex have gained tremendous importance in these times. These should be taken judiciously and should not be overdone with”.  These supplements play an important role in the body's regeneration,” she advised.
Protective food

These food help in defence mechanism of the body and contain phyto-nutrients and fibres, which are important for the body's recovery. Hence, protective food should also be taken adequately. There are live organisms found in our intestines which determine our health and recovery. If there has been a damage to those microbes, their food which is fibres should be provided to the body so as to make those microbes grow.

Phyto-nutrients, which come in various colours and are also known as rainbow diet, contain information about which genes to make work, which far cells to activate and which are the ones to suppress. These play an even more important role than vitamins and minerals. "Hence, do consume colourful food and dedicate one meal to these protective food", advised Ishi Khosla

Protective food include anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory food, cold-pressed oils, turmeric, ginger, tea and so on.

Hydration: The nutritionist also specially mentioned about the importance of drinking enough water. Hydration levels should be well-maintained during the illness and also post-illness.

Mental health is also related to our gut which has such a profound effect on our body that scientists are now calling it "second brain". Hence, if our food is not good for body, it also disturbs our mood, apart from our immunity

In short, maintain a healthy diet, take seasonal food and organic food, she concluded.

 

2 రకాల పండ్లను ప్రతిరోజు తినటం ద్వారా టైపు 2 డయాబెటిస్ ముప్పుని 36 శాతం తగ్గించుకోవచ్చు

 హైదరాబాద్ సమతుల ఆహారంతో పాటు ఏవేని 2 రకాల పండ్లను ప్రతిరోజు తినటం ద్వారా టైపు 2 డయాబెటిస్ ముప్పుని 36 శాతం తగ్గించుకోవచ్చని వెస్ట్రన్ ఆస్ట్రేలియాలోని ఎడిత్ కోవాన్ విశ్వవిద్యాలయం (ఇసియు) పరిశోధకులు కనుగొన్నారు

జర్నల్ ఆఫ్ క్లినికల్ ఎండోక్రినాలజీ అండ్ మెటబాలిజంలో ప్రచురించబడిన ఈ అధ్యయనం ప్రకారం, రోజుకు కనీసం రెండు సర్వ్స్ పండ్లను తిన్నవారికి సగం కంటే తక్కువ సర్వ్ తిన్న వారి కంటే ఇన్సులిన్ సున్నితత్వం ఎక్కువ.

ప్రపంచవ్యాప్తంగా 451 మిలియన్ల మంది టైప్ 2 డయాబెటిస్ సమస్యతో బాధపడుతున్నారు.మరో 374 మిలియన్ల మందికి టైప్ 2 డయాబెటిస్ వచ్చే ప్రమాదం ఉంది.

అధ్యయనం యొక్క ప్రధాన రచయిత,ECU యొక్క ఇన్స్టిట్యూట్ ఫర్ న్యూట్రిషన్ రీసెర్చ్ డాక్టర్ నికోలా బొండోన్నో వివరాల ప్రకారం  ఎక్కువ పండ్లను తినేవారు వారి రక్తంలో గ్లూకోజ్ స్థాయిలను తగ్గించడానికి తక్కువ ఇన్సులిన్ ఉత్పత్తి చేయవలసి ఉంటుందని సూచిస్తున్నారు.“ఇది చాలా ముఖ్యం ఎందుకంటే అధిక స్థాయిలో ఇన్సులిన్ ఉత్పత్తి (హైపర్‌ఇన్సులినిమియా) రక్త నాళాలను దెబ్బతీస్తుంది మరియు ఇది డయాబెటిస్‌కు మాత్రమే కాకుండా, అధిక రక్తపోటు, ఊ బకాయం మరియు గుండె జబ్బులకు దారితీస్తుంది

MaxiVision Eye Hospitals launches “Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) Early Detection Center

 Early detection and treatment of the fungal infection can save many lives averting it from turning into lethal – Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy – Chief Surgeon

Hyderabad:: MaxiVision Eye Hospitals group, the pioneers in the industry of eye care medical services have launched “Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) Early Detection Center” at its Somajiguda Branch in Hyderabad to identify the virulent fungal infection in its initial stage preventing it from aggravating further and become fatal. Early detection and treatment of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) can save many lives averting it from turning into lethal.

The Early Detection Centre has a team of doctors who examine the patient first to ascertain if it is Mucormycosis (Black Fungus). The team of doctors includes an Ophthalmologist, ENT specialist, and Microbiologist. If the examination by the team of doctors confirms the infection of Black Fungus, then the team will cross-examine the level and severity of the infection etc. The infected patients will be referred to government hospitals where the treatment for Mucormycosis is available.

 

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy, Chief Surgeon, Founder & Mentor, Co-Chairman, MaxiVision Eye Hospitals said Mucormycosis or Black Fungus is an aggressive fungal infection, acquired primarily via inhalation of fungal spores in immunity weak hosts or through direct entry during trauma. The Early Detection Center will provide comprehensive Eye Check-ups, Ocular and Orbit Diagnosis, ENT Consultations, Microbiologist Consultations, Biopsy Tests, Pathology Tests, and Radiology support.

 

Some of the common symptoms of Mucormycosis are nasal discharge and stiffness, black discoloration of the nose, toothache, jaw pain, prolonged fever, headache, and facial edema (swelling). However, there are some other symptoms that relate to the eyes, like swelling and pain in and around the eyes, and a thick discharge from eyes.

 

Mucormycosis can severely affect the eyes of the patient and it is my earnest request that anyone who experiences discharge from the eyes should immediately contact an eye specialist and get their eye-check-up done. This is essential for those patients who have recently recovered from Covid-19, He added.

 

Elaborating more on the same Dr. Anil Kumar Bathula – Medical Director, MaxiVision Eye Hospitals said, Some of the ways to prevent the Black Fungus would be to avoid repeated use of cloth masks without sterilization or wash, avoid consuming rotten vegetables & fruits, clean your air conditioners and cooler filters regularly, doing steam inhalation regularly, keeping your environment clean to avoid fungal growth in clothes, vegetables, furniture etc., good control of Blood Sugar levels, using antibiotics and antifungals judiciously,  using steroids and other medicines judiciously observing regular time and dose, etc. Post-Covid recovered patients are advised to have regular comprehensive eye check-ups done.

 

Patients can contact 9390110000 for more details.

Nutrify Today joins hands with the MADSA in its pursuit of providing quality health products worldwide

 Mumbai:A global name in the nutrition ecosystem, Nutrify Today has played a huge role in fulfilling the sudden surge in demand for health additives and nutraceuticals in the post-pandemic times. It has done so by building strategic relationships with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry association bodies of multiple countries, making a rich network of curated market access available for everyone. Nutrify Today is the organiser of many sought-after programs like investor pitch, Nutra bazaar, science workshops and other business events across the globe.

In its pursuit of expanding assistance to nutraceuticals and pharma companies across the globe, Nutrify Today has collaborated with the MADSA (Malaysian Dietary Supplements Association) - a leadership nutraceuticals body in Malaysia. The key objectives of this collaboration are to improve public health by providing quality products, services, and factual information to people, developing awareness of the safety and benefits of complementary healthcare products, and ensuring a suitable regulatory regime for the health supplement industry worldwide.

The association between Nutrify Today and MADSA opens up expedited business opportunities in nutraceuticals between both countries. From 750 million in 2019, the Malaysian nutraceuticals market is projected to reach USD 1.4 billion by 2026. The quantum growth can be attributed to the faster adoption of nutraceuticals in the post COVID era.

 

Mr. Amit Srivasatava, Founder and Chief Catalyst of Nutrify Today said, “We are in a constant pursuit of enabling and empowering responsible nutrition businesses by making available the infrastructure, curated market access and knowledge required for new Nutraceuticals to thrive. Our collaboration with MADSA is a big step towards our goal - expanding assistance to Nutraceuticals and pharma companies across the globe.”

Nutrify Today is also the proud founder of the world's first i2c platform (Idea to commercialization). It is a curated web-based platform that invites promising pharma and Nutra companies to build new products and identify their supply chain partners. The platform has evidently reduced new product development and go-to market time by 50%.  Nutrify Today enabled business deals of over USD 9 million amongst the nutraceutical industry in the year 2020 alone and has set its targets on USD 133 million by 2024.

ప్రధాన మంత్రి సురక్ష బీమా యోజన (పిఎంఎస్‌బివై)

 ప్రధాన్ మంత్రి సురక్ష బీమా యోజన (పిఎంఎస్‌బివై) భారత ప్రభుత్వ సామాజిక భద్రతా పథకం. ముఖ్యముగా హాస్పిటలైజేషన్ రీయింబర్స్‌మెంట్ ఇందులో లేదు.

 వార్షిక పునరుద్ధరణ ప్రాతిపదికన జూన్ 1 నుండి మే 31 వరకు కవరేజ్ కాలానికి మే 31 న లేదా అంతకు ముందు ఆటో డెబిట్‌ అనుమతి ఇచ్చే బ్యాంక్ ఖాతాతో 18 నుండి 70 సంవత్సరాల మధ్య వయస్సు గల వారికి ఈ పథకం అందుబాటులో ఉంది. బ్యాంక్ ఖాతాకు ఆధార్ ప్రాథమిక KYC గా ఉంటుంది. ప్రమాదవశాత్తు మరణం మరియు పూర్తి వైకల్యానికి ఈ పథకం కింద రూ .2 లక్షలు, రూ. పాక్షిక వైకల్యానికి 1 లక్షలు. ప్రీమియం సంవత్సరానికి రూ. 12 ను ఖాతాదారుడి బ్యాంక్ ఖాతా నుండి ‘ఆటో-డెబిట్ సౌకర్యం’ ద్వారా ఒక విడతలో కట్టాలి.

ప్రధాన్ మంత్రి సురక్ష బీమా యోజన (పిఎంఎస్‌బివై)

అర్హత: ఈ పథకం భారతదేశంలో ప్రజలకు అందుబాటులో ఉంది

కనీస వయస్సు: 18 సంవత్సరాలు

గరిష్ట వయస్సు: 70 సంవత్సరాలు

అవసరాలు:

బ్యాంక్ ఖాతా, ఆధార్ కార్డు, ఫోన్ నంబర్, నివాస చిరునామా రుజువు

ప్రీమియం: రూ .12 / - పి.ఎ.

కవరేజ్ వ్యవధి: జూన్ 1 - మే 31

ప్రమాద కవరేజ్: ప్రమాదవశాత్తు మరణించినందుకు రూ .2,00,000 (రెండు లక్షలు)

తీవ్రమైన వైకల్యం ఉన్నట్లయితే రూ .1,00,000 (లక్ష)

రీయింబర్స్‌మెంట్ పొందగలమా: హాస్పిటలైజేషన్ రీయింబర్స్‌మెంట్ ఇందులో లేదు.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana(PMSBY)

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana(PMSBY) is a social security scheme of the Government of India. Importantly it is not a mediclaim policy to get hospital reimbursement. The Scheme is available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account who give their consent to join/enable auto-debit on or before 31st May for the coverage period 1st June to 31st May on an annual renewal basis. Aadhar would be the primary KYC for the bank account. The risk coverage under the scheme is Rs.2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability. The premium of Rs. 12 per annum is to be deducted from the account holder’s bank account through ‘auto-debit facility in one installment. The scheme is being offered by Public Sector General Insurance Companies or any other General Insurance Company who are willing to offer the product on similar terms with necessary approvals and tie-up with banks for this purpose.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana(PMSBY)

 

Eligibility: The Scheme is available to people in India

Minimum Age:18 years

Maximum Age: 70 years

 

Requirements :

Bank account, Aadhar Card, Phone Number, Residential address proof

Premium: Rs.12/- P.A

 

Coverage period: 1^st June – 31^st May

Risk Coverage : Rs.2,00,000 (Two Lakhs) for accidental death

Rs.1,00,000 (One lakh) in case of severe disability

Can we get reimbursement: NO hospitalization reimbursement is covered in it.

COVID Vaccination in Rural Areas – Myths vs. Facts

 New Delhi : Pre-registration for vaccination through online registration and prior booking of appointment is not mandatory to avail of vaccination services.

Anyone, aged 18 years or more, can directly go to the nearest vaccination Center where vaccinator performs the on-site registration and provides vaccination in the same visit.This is also popularly known as “walk-ins”.

The facilitated registration through the Common Service Centers (CSCs) on Co-WIN, is just one of the many modes of registration on Co-WIN. The facilitators such as health workers or ASHAs, also mobilize beneficiaries in rural areas and those residing in urban slums, for on-site registration and vaccination directly at the nearest vaccination centers. The facility for assisted registrations through the 1075 Help Line has also been operationalized.

That, all the above modes, specifically operationalised for rural areas, are functional and enabling equitable access to vaccination in rural areas, is evident from the fact that, as on 13.06.2021, out of the 28.36 crore beneficiaries registered on Co-WIN, 16.45 crore (58%) beneficiaries have been registered in the on-site mode. Also, out of the the total 24.84 crore vaccine doses recorded on Co-WIN as on 13^th June 2021, 19.84 crore doses (nearly 80% of all vaccine doses) have been administered through onsite/ walk-in vaccination.

From 01.05.21 till 12.06.21, out of the total 1,03,585 COVID Vaccination Centers [CVCs] providing vaccination services, 26,114 are operated at the Sub-Health Centers, 26,287 at the Primary Health Centers and 9,441 at the Community Health Centers, amounting to 59.7% of the total vaccination centers. All of these CVCs at the Sub-Health Centers, the Primary Health Centers and the Community Health Centers are in rural areas where people can directly walk-in for on-site registration and vaccination.

Out of the total 69,995 vaccination centers so far classified by states on Co-WIN as rural or urban, 49,883 vaccination centers, i.e. 71%, are located in rural areas.

The coverage of vaccination in tribal area – As per the data available on Co-WIN as on 3rd June, 2021 –

1. Vaccination per million population in tribal districts is higher than the National average.
2. 128 out of 176 Tribal Districts are performing better than all India vaccination coverage.
3. More walk-in vaccinations are happening in Tribal Districts as compared to National average.
4. Gender ratio for people vaccinated is also better in the tribal districts.

 

COVID19 Vaccination: Myths Vs. Facts

 Any death or hospitalization following vaccination cannot be automatically assumed to be due to vaccination

Causality assessments help to understand whether the “Adverse Event Following Immunization” was caused directly due to vaccine, and are conducted at State and national level for the investigated cases

New Delhi :There have been some media reports suggesting an increase in the cases of severe AEFI which have also resulted in ‘succumbing of patients’ post vaccination. As per the media reports, 488 deaths following vaccination are linked to post-COVID complications during 16^th Jan 2021 and 7^th June 2021 period where the total vaccination coverage was 23.5 crore.

It is clarified that these reports are based on incomplete and limited understanding of the matter at hand. It may be noted that the term “succumbed” insinuates causality i.e. the deaths were caused due to vaccination.

The number of deaths reported following COVID-19 vaccination in the country is only 0.0002% of 23.5 crore doses administered which is within the expected death rates in a population. In a population, deaths occur at a certain rate. Crude death rate in 2017 as per SRS data is 6.3 per 1000 persons annually (SRS, Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India

It is also important and pertinent to note that the mortality rates for those testing positive for COVID-19 disease is more than 1% and COVID-19 vaccination can prevent these deaths. Therefore, the riskof dying following vaccination is negligible as compared to the known risk of dying due to COVID-19 disease.

Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is defined as ‘any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine. It can be any unfavourable or unintended sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease’. Healthcare workers, doctors and vaccine recipients have been always encouraged by the Government of India as well as State Governments to report all deaths, hospitalizations and events resulting in disability as well as any minor and adverse events following immunization at any point of time after vaccination.

Deaths, hospitalizations or events causing disability or concern following any vaccination are categorised as serious or severe cases and are to be investigated at the district level. Causality assessments help to understand whether the event was caused due to the vaccine and are conducted at the state and national level. Therefore, any death or hospitalization following vaccination cannot be automatically assumed to be due to vaccination unless investigated by the AEFI Committees at the district, state and national level and attributed to the Vaccination.

There is a robust system of AEFI surveillance at every level from the district to the State. Once the investigation is completed, the reports are released on the website of the Union health Ministry, following transparent sharing of COVID Vaccination related information.

 

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium (INSACOG) sequencing has helped in detection of Variants of Concerns (VOCs) in real time and data has been shared with relevant States/UTs

New Delhi : There have been some media reports alleging low quantum of sequencing in the country and the significant lags between sample collection and sequence submission into the database for pattern detection and actionable alerts to governments.

It is clarified that a sampling strategy is based on the country's objectives, scientific principles and WHO guidance documents. Accordingly, the strategy has been reviewed and revised as from time to time.

Evolution of WGS sampling strategy under INSACOG:

Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium (INSACOG) is a forum set up under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare by the Government of India on 25 December 2020, to study and monitor genome sequencing and virus variation of circulating strains of COVID-19 in India.

 In the initial phase, the sampling was done with the objective of

A.        Identifying International Travelers who could be carrying the variant strains

B.        To find out if the variant(s) are already present in the population

Accordingly, a 2-pronged strategy was adopted: 

1.         International passengers arriving from selected countries and their contacts were
            targeted for WGS

2.         Community based sampling of 5% of the RTPCR positive cases from each of the States.

It is important to note that the 5% norm was selected based on the then daily new case load (Approx. 10,000 – 15,000 per day) and the sequencing capacity of the RGSLs at that time.  Both the objectives were met when it was conclusively established that International passengers were carrying the variants and the transmission of these had also been established in the community (UK variant) in a few States.

Subsequently, in line with global sequencing strategy and WHO guidance document, the sampling strategy has been revised by INSACOG with the objective:

1. To detect emerging genomic variants / mutations by prospective sampling
2. To detect the VOCs/genomic variants in special / unusual events like large clusters, unusual clinical presentation, vaccine breakthrough, suspected reinfections etc.

Accordingly, a strategy has been adopted in view of the increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, existing capacity of RGSLs and timely detection of Variants of Concerns (VOCs) including other genomic variants being detected in the Country and elsewhere.  Strategy was revised on 12th April to “Sentinel Surveillance”. This was also endorsed by WHO which had issued similar guidance.

Under the present Sentinel surveillance strategy:

1.         States have identified 5 laboratories and 5 tertiary care hospitals each as sentinel sites for
            sending samples to designated RGSLs.

2.         Each of the sentinel sites is sending 15 samples routinely for WGS to the designated
            laboratories.

In addition to the sentinel surveillance, an additional event-based surveillance for special / unusual events like large clusters, unusual clinical presentation, vaccine breakthrough, suspected reinfections etc to detect, investigate and respond to these was also approved. The details of the epidemiological investigations, study methodology, number of samples to be collected for WGS etc would depend on the situation / event.

As far as the turnaround time is concerned, INSACOG sequencing has helped in detection of VOCs in real time and this was also shared with the relevant States. The present turnaround time for VOCs is only 10 to 15 days.  However, it is pertinent to mention that the effect of known VOCs on disease transmission and severity are already established, but for new mutations/variants under investigations; for correlation of genomic mutations with epidemiological scenarios / clinical perspective, it is important to monitor the epidemiological trends of cases / clinical severity and proportions of samples with genomic variants over few weeks to generate scientifically valid evidence.

Regarding enhancing the number and capacity of existing genome sequencing labs, it is informed that in addition to existing 10 labs, 18 other labs have also been approved for incorporation in the INSACOG network.

 

Cabinet approves Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)- Phase III

Cabinet approves Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)- Phase III

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Mumbai Urban Transport Project Phase-III.

The estimated cost of project is Rs.8,679 crore with completion cost of Rs.10,947 crore. The project is expected to be completed in the next 5 years during 13th Plan period.

Western Railway is running suburban services on the existing busy double line between Virar-Dahanu Road which is a part of main line Mumbai –Ahmedabad / Delhi route. Main line is already over saturated and there is no scope for supplementing suburban services on this line. Construction of additional double line between Virar-Dahanu Road will address the demand of commuters in this region. This will provide extension of suburban services from Churchgate to Dahanu Road. Panvel-Karjat double line suburban corridor will cater to the significant urbanization and population growth in recent years in this area. This will also provide alternate route from Karjat to CSTM via Panvel which will be shorter by 23 Km than the existing route via Kalyan and will reduce travel time between CSTM to Karjat by 35 to 40 minutes by slow trains.

Presently, passengers commuting from Kalyan to Vashi/ Panvel or in reverse direction, have to get down at Thane and take Trans Harbour link. This results in congestion at Thane which is already a busy station on Central Railway. Airoli-Kalwa corridor will reduce congestion at Thane station and will also save time as these passengers can travel bypassing Thane. Procurement of new coaches will enhance the quality of service and reduce congestion. The works proposed under trespass control at 22 locations shall significantly reduce trespass and will provide safer environment for the public.

The areas covered by this project are Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Mumbai districts of Maharashtra.

Background:

The Mumbai suburban railway network on Central and Western Railways has 376 route Kms. There are five corridors, two on Western Railway, two on Central Railway and one on Harbour Line of Central Railway. Everyday approximately 8 million people travel in suburban section in more than 2900 train services. There is severe overcrowding in the suburban trains specially during peak hours. Due to geographical constraints, spread of the population and location of business areas, the rail network will continue to be the principal mode of mass transport in Mumbai. To meet the demands of the ever growing commuter traffic, new suburban corridor between Panvel-Karjat (28 Route km), new elevated corridor between Airoli-Kalwa( 3 Route km ), quadrupling of Virar-Dahanu Road (63 Route km), procurement of 565 new coaches and trespass control measures in mid sections have been included in Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)- Phase III.