In News:

In Dima Hasao district of Assam, at least nine workers aged between 26 and 57 were trapped in a coal “rat-hole” mine after it was flooded with water. Three miners trapped in a flooded coal mine were confirmed dead, while six remained stuck. Later an Indian Navy team, including deep-sea divers, arrived at the site, where the water level inside the pit is 200 feet deep.

Key Takeaways:

• Rat-hole mining is a method of extracting coal from narrow, horizontal seams, prevalent in Meghalaya. The term “rat hole” refers to the narrow pits dug into the ground, typically just large enough for one person to descend and extract coal.
• Once the pits are dug, miners descend using ropes or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams. The coal is then manually extracted using primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and baskets.
• Types of Rat-hole mining: 
  •  Side-cutting mining: In the side-cutting procedure, narrow tunnels are dug on the hill slopes and workers go inside until they find the coal seam. The coal seam in the hills of Meghalaya is very thin, less than 2 m in most cases.
  • Box-cutting mining: In the other type of rat-hole mining, called box-cutting, a rectangular opening is made, varying from 10 to 100 sqm, and through that a vertical pit is dug, 100 to 400 feet deep. Once the coal seam is found, rat-hole-sized tunnels are dug horizontally through which workers can extract the coal.
• Concerns associated with Rat-hole mining: Rat-hole mining poses significant environmental and safety hazards. This method of mining has faced severe criticism due to its hazardous working conditions, and numerous accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.
• The mines are typically unregulated, lacking safety measures such as proper ventilation, structural support, or safety gear for the workers. Additionally, the mining process can cause land degradation, deforestation, and water pollution. Despite attempts by authorities to regulate or ban such practices, they often persist due to economic factors and the absence of viable alternative livelihoods for the local population.
• Notably, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned Rat-hole mining in 2014, and retained the ban in 2015, on grounds of it being unscientific and unsafe for workers. The order was in connection with Meghalaya, where this remained a prevalent procedure for coal mining. The state government then appealed the order in the Supreme Court.

Role of Rat-Hole Mining in Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue

• The rat-hole mining practice, banned for being unsafe, helped in the rescue operation of 41 workers trapped in the collapsed Silkyara-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023.
• Rat-hole miners were called in after the auger machine that was drilling through the debris broke. Rescuers then tried cutting through the blade stuck inside the rescue pipes and removing it piece by piece. As large metal pieces hindered the machine drilling, the rescuers went ahead with rat-hole mining.
• It was a test of grit and perseverance – for men on both sides of the 57 metres of debris – as the rescue operation suffered one setback after another. In the end, it was miners who dug through the last 12 metres and reached the trapped men.

Introduction

In response to the evolving threat of pandemics, NITI Aayog has released an Expert Group report titled "Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response — A Framework for Action." The report offers a strategic blueprint for India to enhance its pandemic preparedness, drawing from the lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis and global best practices. This framework aims to create a rapid, well-coordinated response system for future public health emergencies.

Rationale Behind the Expert Group

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the vulnerability of global and national health systems to emerging infectious diseases. As future pandemics are inevitable, especially with increasing zoonotic threats, India has taken a proactive step in planning for such eventualities. The WHO has warned that 75% of future pandemics may be zoonotic, caused by pathogens transmitted from animals to humans.

Key Findings from COVID-19 Response

India's response to COVID-19 highlighted several strengths and weaknesses in the public health system. Key efforts included developing vaccines, enhancing research and development frameworks, and deploying digital tools for data management across its 1.4 billion population. However, gaps were identified in governance, data management, and cross-sectoral coordination. These lessons have been integrated into the expert group’s framework for future preparedness.

The 100-Day Response Framework

A crucial aspect of the report is the emphasis on the first 100 days of a pandemic. The expert group argues that a rapid response within this period is essential for minimizing the impact of any outbreak. The framework outlines a detailed roadmap for preparedness, which includes tracking, testing, treating, and managing outbreaks efficiently. A robust system for quick deployment of countermeasures, including vaccines and treatments, is pivotal during these critical days.

Four Pillars of Pandemic Preparedness

The report's recommendations are organized around four pillars:

• Governance, Legislation, Finance, and Management:
  • Proposes a new Public Health Emergency Management Act (PHEMA) to address modern pandemic needs.
  • Creation of an empowered group of secretaries (EGoS) for rapid decision-making and coordination.
• Data Management, Surveillance, and Predictive Tools:
  • Calls for a unified data platform to aggregate and analyze data for timely decision-making.
  • Emphasizes strengthening genomic surveillance and establishing a national biosecurity network.
• Research, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
  • Recommends a high-risk innovation fund to support research on diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
  • Suggests enhancing manufacturing capacity and building biosafety containment facilities.
• Partnerships and Community Engagement:
  • Stresses the importance of private sector involvement and community engagement in managing pandemics.
  • Proposes a risk communication unit at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to manage public information and prevent misinformation.

International and National Collaboration

The report underscores the need for cross-border collaboration, aligning India’s efforts with international frameworks such as the WHO’s revised International Health Regulations and the Pandemic Accord negotiations. Collaboration with global institutions, academia, and the private sector is essential for sharing data, technology, and expertise during health crises.

Lessons from Past Epidemics

The report draws lessons from several past epidemics, including SARS, H1N1, and Ebola, which revealed the importance of timely diagnostics, coordinated surveillance, and rapid response. These lessons highlight the need for stronger international regulations, integrated data systems, and enhanced public-private partnerships in tackling future pandemics.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The framework offers actionable recommendations to strengthen India’s pandemic preparedness. From institutionalizing governance structures and creating a dedicated pandemic fund to enhancing surveillance and fostering innovation, these steps are designed to ensure rapid response and minimize the impact of future health crises. By focusing on governance, data management, research, and community partnerships, India aims to build a resilient health system capable of facing future challenges effectively.