'Stop HIV spread at bullet train construction site'

The environment impact assessment EIA report submitted to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change MoEF and CC of the muchhyped MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train project is in with an interesting point of cautionA section of the report states there is a high risk of the spread of HIV during the construction phase as the project is expected to bring together groups with a high prevalence of HIV infection in direct contact with groups highly vulnerable to HIV infections The report has emphasised on making provisions for the prevention of HIV transmission among workersThe bullet train project named MumbaiAhmedabad High Speed Railway Project MAHSR is being projected as a crucial one as it is expected to cut down the travel time between the two cities to 25 hoursThe National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited NHSRCL submitted the EIA report to MoEF and CC to get environment clearance for the project on March 14The EIA report has emphasized on makingprovisions for the prevention of HIV transmission amongst the workers and for treatment of people living with HIV PLHIV in order to prevent the spread of the diseaseBacking up the concern with figures page 102 of the report talks about HIV and AIDS with a table that gives details about the current status of HIV in Maharashtra and Gujarat based on the National AIDS Control Organisations NACO HIV Estimation 2015 reportAn excerpt of the reports conclusion on the possibility of HIV spreadingHeavy presenceThe report states Gujarat has one of the highest adult HIV prevalence rate in India at 042 per cent It means that 042 per cent of the population in the age group of 1549 years is HIV positive The HIV estimation report does not provide an exact adult prevalence rate for Maharashtra but only says that it is higher than the national average of 026 per cent The adult HIV prevalence rate is showing a declining trend in Maharashtra and is stable in GujaratThe paragraph further states Both the states have heavy presence of PLHIVs Of the total number of 211 lakh PLHIVs in India Gujarat has 166 lakh while Maharashtra has 301 lakh PLHIVs Together they constitute 221 per cent of total PLHIVs in India Gujarat is one of the four states currently having highest rate of new infections The number of new annual infections is in excess of 7500 while the corresponding number for Maharashtra stands at 30004000The MAHSR alignment for MaharashtraAlso ReadMumbaiAhmedabad bullet train 73 Palghar residents give up their lands for basic amenitiesMake provisionsConcluding the assessment the report states The proposed MAHSR project shall attract large number of people during the construction and operation phase The highest risk of HIV transmission is apprehended during the construction phase The construction phase is expected to bring groups with high prevalence of HIV infection eg longroute truck drivers commercial sex workers etc in direct contact with groups at a high risk of vulnerability of HIV infection eg single migrant males Injectable drug users and men who have sex with men are also expected to be present in large numbersThe project developers are advised to make provisions for the prevention of HIV transmission amongst the workers and for treatment to PLHIVs states the conclusion with recommendations like Easy availability of personal protection devices like condoms and diaphragms sustained ICE activities and counselling mechanism regular home visit holidays collaboration with local police to curb the sale and use of narcotics The project developers are also advised to act in consonance with the HIVAIDS Prevention and Control Act 2014 with regards to employment termination of employment access to healthcare housing access to other facilities etcmidday tried to contact Achal Khare managing director of the National HighSpeed Rail Corporation NHSRCL but we were unable to get through his number The messages sent to him also did not received any responseMDACS saysSpeaking to midday Dr Srikala Acharya additional project director of the Mumbai District AIDS Control Society said We have already tied up with agencies who are responsible for the construction of the Metro lines for HIV awareness among the construction workers We sensitize them about the transmission and educated them so that they dont fall victim to the infection Migrants are part of our target intervention projects so we always reach out to them They also undergo HIV screening and if anyone is found infected we also provide them treatment So when the construction of the bullet train would start we would also approach the concerned authority for sensitisationAlso ReadNRI from Germany gives up land for MumbaiAhmedabad bullet train projectCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates