PAU Holds Pest Management Training For Railways

Ludhiana, March 29, 2016: A one day training programme on “Rodent Pest Management” for railway staff was organized by the Department of Zoology, . The training was attended by twelve participants from among the senior officers, Managers, Engineers and Health Inspectors of the railway station, Ludhiana.

Rodent problems faced by passengers, vendors and railway authorities on the railway station were discussed and a report was presented on the problems being faced by the railway authorities as well as technical guidance for managing the rodent menace. Live specimens of different rodent pest species were shown to the participants and demonstration on the preparation of rodenticide bait and application in rodent burrows and other activity sites was given. This training will be followed by an antirat campaign at the railway station covering all the areas including railway platforms, railway lines and surrounding fallow land on both sides of the platform.

Dr. G.K. Sangha, College of Basic Sciences & Humanities and Dr. S.S. Kukal, Additional Director of Research, Natural Resource & Plant Health Management, PAU, Ludhiana were the special invitees at the occasion. Dr. G.K. Sangha remarked that the problem of rodents is a matter of concern for the Northern Railways, therefore, awareness campaigns amongst the railway staff about the effective rodent pest management are vital. Appreciating the training modules, Dr Sangha said that this training will be of immense benefit to the participants, who play an important role in day to day management of various activities of railways department.

Dr S. S. Kukal said that providing technical help for managing rodent pests at Ludhiana Railway Station is the need of the hour. A close interaction between the rodent control experts and railway staff members is essential for that.

Sh. S.P. Singh Bhatia, Deputy Traffic Manager, Ferozepur Division, Northern Railways described the actual problems being faced by them including cutting of underground cables related to train signaling thus causing delays in the trains.