Centre for Rural Education and Economic Development

ABSTRACT Constructing underground tunnels and associated infrastructure in tectonically sensitive mountainous regions such as Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, presents significant engineering challenges due to variable rock mass properties, complex deformational behavior and weak litho‐structural conditions. Detailed pre‐investigation of geological and structural characteristics is therefore essential to evaluate rock stability prior to infrastructure development, particularly in steep terrains that exhibit elevated geotechnical and environmental risks. This study assesses rock mass quality using the rock mass rating (RMR) geomechanical classification system based on detailed field investigations, including intact rock strength, rock quality designation (RQD), discontinuity spacing, discontinuity condition, groundwater condition, and discontinuity orientation. To enhance the reliability of stability assessment, geographic information system (GIS)‐based spatial analysis was integrated to evaluate terrain slope, fault distribution, lineaments and regional seismicity. Although GIS parameters were not used directly in RMR computation, they were employed as an independent spatial validation framework to examine the consistency between geomechanical classification and regional structural controls. The results indicate RMR values ranging from 21 to 30, corresponding to Class IV (poor rock mass quality), primarily controlled by closely spaced discontinuities and unfavorable structural orientations. The novelty of this study lies in integrating field‐based geomechanical classification with GIS‐derived tectonic and geomorphological analyses to provide spatial validation of tunnel stability conditions in a tectonically sensitive Himalayan terrain, enabling improved assessment of engineering feasibility beyond conventional RMR evaluation. The findings suggest that tunnel construction in the study area requires enhanced support systems, including the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), rock bolting, steel ribs, and shotcrete to ensure long‐term stability. This integrated framework provides a practical basis for planning railway tunnel infrastructure in structurally complex mountain environments.

Trace amounts of certain heavy metals, including iron, zinc, and copper, are essential for human health; however, many others are toxic even at low concentrations, posing significant risks in vulnerable coastal regions. This study assessed concentrations of heavy metals in shallow groundwater (1–4 m depth) along the coastline of Alappuzha, Kerala (India) during the pre- (2021) and post-monsoon (2022) seasons, applying the Origin-Source-Pathways-Receptor-Consequence (OSPRC) framework. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), strontium (Sr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and cobalt (Co) were analyzed with respect to the WHO (2017) standards. Arsenic in 8–10% samples and aluminum in 8% samples across the seasons, exceeding the WHO limits, were largely from commercial debris, agricultural runoff, domestic sewage, and tourism-related activities. The elevated iron (4–8% of samples), however, was predominantly geogenic. The heavy metal pollution index (HMPI) indicated that 32% of pre-monsoon and 34% of post-monsoon samples exhibited medium to high pollution levels with the critical hotspots at Ambalapuzha, Anandheswaram, and Thottapalli for arsenic; Alappuzha, Kanjikuzhi and Paravoor for aluminum; and Paravoor, Alappuzha, Chennakari, and Ambalapuzha for iron. The presence of these trace metals at unsafe levels underscores an urgent need for comprehensive quality monitoring and mitigation strategies in this coastal zone. The findings in this study deliver a replicable model for integrating risk-based assessment frameworks like OSPRC into groundwater management practices for policymakers, public health authorities, and local communities to prioritize interventions for developing sustainable and long-term solutions.

A study explored the effectiveness of cold cabbage leaf application in reducing pain and engorgement among postnatal mothers using a mixed-methods approach with 40 participants. The treatment involved applying cold cabbage leaves for 30 minutes, three times a day for three days, which resulted in significant reductions in both pain (from 4.9 to 2.9) and engorgement (from 4.45 to 2.8) at p < 0.001. Qualitative interviews with 10 mothers revealed that many felt relief from pain and swelling and appreciated the simplicity, affordability and natural aspects of the remedy. However, some mothers experienced discomfort from the coldness and difficulty keeping the cabbage leaves in place. Despite these challenges, the majority were satisfied with the treatment and preferred it over medications. The study suggests that cabbage leaf application is an effective, low-cost solution for managing breast engorgement, with potential benefits for breastfeeding, although future research could focus on improving practical application and providing clearer instructions.

Cephalosporins are the commonly used group of antibiotics in hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world. The inappropriate use of antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics in hospitals, leads to antibiotic resistance. Drug utilization pattern is a performance improvement method that focuses on evaluation and improvement of drug use processes to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Third-generation cephalosporins are the most commonly prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, evenbefore culture sensitivity resultsareavailable. The objective ofthe current study was carriedout to evaluate the drug utilization and prescribing pattern of third generation cephalosporins in the in-patient department of surgery wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. A predesigned data collection form was used to collect the data and it was analyzed using Microsoft Excel. A total of 120 inpatients were enrolled in the study. Among 120 patients, male were predominant 92 (76.7 %). More number of patients enrolled between the age group of 51-60 years [32 (26.7%)]. Patients with comorbidities were 51 (42.5 %). This research study can help provide feedback to prescribers, thereby increasing awareness and improving patient care through appropriate medication use. From this study, it was clear that intravenous form of third generation cephalosporins are predominantlyused.This study showedthatdrugsarepredominantlyprescribedbybrandnames.