Wayanad landslides: Rahul calls for concerted efforts to revitalise tourism
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said it is imperative to make a concerted effort to revitalise tourism in Wayanad and encourage people to visit the area by dispelling the notion that it is "dangerous" place in the aftermath of the recent landslides.
Gandhi made the assertion during a virtual meeting with some Kerala Congress leaders and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
In a post on X along with a video clip of the online meeting on relief and rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad, Gandhi said Wayanad is steadily recovering from the devastation caused by the tragic landslides.
"While there is still much to be done, it is heartening to witness people from all communities and organisations coming together in relief efforts," he said.
"There is one crucial aspect I wish to highlight that will greatly aid the people of Wayanad - tourism. Once the rains cease, it is imperative that we make a concerted effort to revitalise tourism in the area and encourage people to visit," the former Congress chief said.
It is important to note that the landslide was localised to a specific area in Wayanad, not the entire region, he said.
Wayanad remains a stunning destination and will soon be ready to welcome tourists from across India and the world with all its natural charm, Gandhi said.
"As we have done in the past, let us come together once again to support our brothers and sisters in beautiful Wayanad," he said.
During the meeting, Gandhi said that for promoting tourism it is important to dispel the notion that it is not a safe place as it can damage the brand of Wayanad if people think that it is a "dangerous place".
"There are four-five things we need to put pressure on - inter-departmental coordination on relief and rehabilitation, inadequate compensation, rent issue that I have raised, many people have lost livelihood, and finally the impact on tourism," he said.
More than 200 people have lost their lives in the aftermath of the worst disaster ever faced by Kerala, which has a fragile ecology along its coasts and hilly areas.
Gandhi won from two constituencies in the Lok Sabha polls but resigned from the Wayanad seat in Kerala, from where his sister Priyanka Gandhi will contest a bypoll.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
13 lakh litres of 'Rail Neer' supplied to train passengers daily: Government
New Delhi (PTI): Approximately 13 lakh litres of packaged drinking water -- 'Rail Neer' -- are being supplied to train passengers across the railway network daily, the government informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.
Apprising the Lower House about the Indian Railways' endeavour to provide safe and potable drinking water facilities at all stations, the government also provided zone-wise details of the water vending machines (WVMs) installed there.
"To ensure the quality of drinking water being made available at the railway stations, instructions exist for periodical checking and required corrective action to be taken.
"Regular inspection and maintenance of drinking water facilities is carried out and complaints are attended to promptly," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while responding to a question raised by BJP MP Anup Sanjay Dhotre seeking to know the supply of drinking water at railway stations across the country
"Complaints regarding deficiency in services, including water supply, are received through various channels such as public complaints, web portals, social media, etc. These complaints are received at various levels, including the Railway Board, zonal railways, division office, etc.," Vaishnaw said.
"The complaints so received are forwarded to the concerned wings of Railways and necessary action is taken to check and address them. As receipt of such complaints and action taken thereon is a continuous and dynamic process, a centralised compendium of these is not maintained," he added.
Providing zone-wise details of water vending machines, the minister said 954 such machines have been installed across railway stations.
"The Indian Railways also provides safe and affordable packaged drinking water bottles -- Rail Neer -- approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in trains and at stations," Vaishnaw said.
"Approximately, 13 lakh litres of Rail Neer are being supplied per day to the travelling passengers in trains and at stations across the Indian Railways network," he added.
