Patna's Innovative Drive for Population Control
The district administration of Patna initiated a significant public health campaign on Friday by flagging off a fleet of 48 specially branded awareness e-rickshaws from the Collectorate. This two-week intensive drive, which will continue until December 12, represents a major effort toward population stabilization across both urban and rural areas of the district.
Official Launch and Strategic Importance
District Magistrate Thiyagarajan SM personally inaugurated the campaign, emphasizing the critical connection between population control and regional development. He stated that managing population growth is fundamental to maintaining Patna's economic progress and enhancing its Human Development Index indicators.
The deployed vehicles, known as "Sarthi chariots", have been strategically distributed with 25 e-rickshaws assigned to urban routes and 23 vehicles serving rural communities. Each follows carefully designed route charts to maximize community outreach.
Comprehensive On-Ground Services
Every e-rickshaw functions as a mobile information and service center, equipped with comprehensive educational materials about family planning options. More importantly, each vehicle includes an ASHA facilitator who coordinates with local ASHA workers and provides immediate access to contraceptive methods.
The available services include permanent contraceptive options like Chhaya, Mala-N, and Easy, along with condom distribution for those who request them. This immediate access eliminates barriers between information and implementation.
This fortnight initiative forms part of the broader Mission Parivar Vikas program, running concurrently with the Male Sterilisation Fortnight that began on November 21 and the preceding Couple Contact Week.
Additional Events and Ambitious Targets
Simultaneously, the administration organized Family Welfare Melas at both block and district levels. These events featured detailed exhibitions showcasing both permanent and temporary contraceptive measures, along with comprehensive information about benefits, available services, and financial incentives for both beneficiaries and motivators.
The campaign has established specific, measurable targets: 120 female sterilisations and 10 male sterilisations per block. This translates to district-wide goals of 2,880 female sterilisations and 270 male sterilisations, totaling 3,150 procedures across Patna district during the campaign period.
This multi-faceted approach combines mobile outreach through e-rickshaws with community events and clear targets, creating a comprehensive strategy to address population stabilization in one of Bihar's most important districts.
