Delhi fights pollution-- Odds come again!

BY APURVA RAI

THE national capital is ready to witness second innings of odd-even formula for private passenger vehicles. The experiment, initiated by Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Admi Party government, has earned people’s appreciation and hence the second innings. There are indications that the formula might emerge as a regular feature in Delhi in near future.

The Delhi government is jumping with joy over the scheme though it is a matter of debate how fruitful the first phase of odd-even experiment was. One cannot say, for sure, whether the air pollution declined during first phase of the experiment but one thing that most people experienced was a comforable drive on Delhi roads and partial freedom from everyday traffic jams.

Good or bad, convenient or inconvenient the odd-even experiment has proved one thing— private cars are the biggest culprits and they are solely responsible for increasingly deteriorating air quality in Delhi. Poor cars, the dream machine of every human being whether khas admi or aam admi and the most prized possession of any househoold, are now under the scanner. The cars are now facing music; till now they have been playing the music.

Though the onus of making pollution has fallen on passenger vehicles it high time we dig into other factors and solutions to keep the air clean and make every aam admi breathe easy. Of course, one cannot do away with the Second Opinion which matters most.

What is the real issue?: First thing first. What is the objective-- fighting pollution or curbing car menace. When we are out to fight pollution then why not address and deal with its other causes. Largely overlooked cause is the mindless construction activity in the NCR region which has not only led to massive air pollution but has also caused serious problem of fast eroding undergound water table and harm to greenery. Another issue is development of massive green belts with plenty of plantations on all vacant lands with the help of private players.

Your Prosperity, my problem: One basic thing one needs to understand is that why punish cars which are meant to provide convenience to a person besides granting him a social status. The number of cars in Delhi has not multiplied because every aam admi has bough one; it has gone up because some rich have purchased them in far greater numbers than what is acceptable. The rich feel they can afford it though they fail to think whether the city where they are driving too can afford it. 

Said or unsaid, shown or unshown, a lot of black money is spent in buying cars and builder apartments in our country. Since you are free to buy any number of cars and builder houses go on spending on them without anybody questioning you. And ultimately it leads to the saying, 'your prosperity has become my problem'. In fact, the entire problem of air pollution and traffic jam is the result of wrong spendings of a prosperous few.

Secondly, personal cars cannot be singled out as the technology adopted by the automobile industry is highly developed and pollution norms too stringent. It is unfortunate that the entire onus of pollution has fallen on poor cars.

Restrict purchase of cars: If people have a choice to buy another car and have money in their pocket why will they not buy it? After all who wants to lead a life of discomfort. And if another car is purchased then the whole purpose of odd-even formula is beaten! So there should not be a choice to purchase yet another car particularly the big one. How can you compare one family with two cars-- one compact sedan and one hatchback or two hatchbacks with anotjher family with two large sedans. The large sedans consume more, pollute more and occupy more space. So why not impose restrictions on such families. Also, purchase of third and fourth cars should be made nearly impossible with the levy of heavy duties. Afterall, the size matters and the quantity counts. Let Delhi become the first state in India where one cannot buy a vehicle according to his/ her wish.

Also, once a person has bought a car he/ she should be disallowed to buy another for next five years. So no frequent changing of cars. Buy a car then ride it for at least five years. There should be a countrywide rule that RC will not be changed for five years from the date of purchase of the vehicle. This condition may also be applied on two-wheelers.

Parking details: It should be mandatory for a person to furnish parking details at the time of buying a car. If there is parking space for only one car then purchase of second car cannot be allowed.

Parking trouble: People buy another car without caring where to park it. This causes trouble to the neighbours and others in the society. Many instances of quarrels, fights, killings, damage to vehicles come to light in big cities over car parking. In cities it is not uncommon to find cars parked oerennially on roadside. I need to know whether the government has allowed free car parking on roadside. If people are parking personal vehicles on roadside they should be made to pay penalty for it on annual basis just like road tax. This will benefit the government as well. Let Delhi become the first state where parking on roadside/ pavements/ lanes and bylanes invites penalty.

Bicycles with battery: There is lot of emphasis on bicycles and cycling has become fashionable too. Many people, including the Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia, cycled to their offices during the first phase of odd-even experiment. What happened afterwards-- the cycles were left behind and other means of transport used by everyone right from VIPs to aam admi. This goes on to suggest that cycling is not the ultimate solution. In extreme weather conditions that we have in India, it is not possible to go to your office on a bicycle everyday. What should be done then? Why not push for the Battery bicycles!The Second Opinion feels that if small batteries can be developed and fitted in bicycles then chances are it might become an all-weather conveyance; good to move out in cold and convenient in summers as well. The small, affordable battery can encourage many more people to adopt bicycles as their mode of transport while going to short-distance office or local markets. We need to pay attention to the fact that battery rickshaws have turned out to be huge success.

Mopeds: Apart from battery bicycles use of mopeds for short distance travel needs to be encouraged. The government must come out with heavy duty exemptions on them. The idea is to make mopeds up to an engine capacity of 60 cc very-very affordable for the aam admi. Many people use cars for local shopping or to perform everyday domestic chores. This task can be easily done on a moped and save road space, fuel and avert pollution. Manufacturers may be asked to come up with fresh, useful designs to cater to the needs of the people.

Cab menace: Vehicular pollution, traffic jams and road accidents are a gift of innumerable cabs plying on Delhi/ NCR roads. It is time that the number of cabs are restricted. Various steps can be taken by the government to discourage use of mini/ small vehicles running as cabs.

Vehicle (not car) pooling: Companies/ institutions using cabs may be asked to switch to luxury mini buses for the benefit of staff and society. This will lead to larger number of people travelling in a single vehicle. The companies may be asked to provide paid transport facility so that people coming from one direction at one given time can avail it. This is the best example of vehicle pooling and saving money and environment. Luxury coaches and discomfort of everyday driving will certainly attract more people to this system. This system will also reduce dependence on public transport leading to lesser crowd. Yet another advantage is that the vehicle is available at the office premises and drops staff close to their home.

Chartered buses: All of a sudden chartered buses, once very popular, have disappeared from Delhi roads. These buses plied from various office locations and

dropped them in their respective localities. If re-introduced many people will stop using their cars and take these buses. Introducing air conditioned

luxury coaches will be preferred as people look for comfort and don't mind paying for it.

Working hours: Why should all office open at the same time, close at same time and get holiday on same day? Office timings are the biggest factor of traffic jams in large cities these days. Surprisingly the closing hours of most offices are longer than their working hours! It is advisable to have two shifts even if it is office work. This will bring more efficiency besides reducing pressure on roads at one given time. The government may start functioning from morning itself with the first shift reporting at 8. The second shift might come from 1 p.m. This system will reduce pressure on public transport at one particular time, expand working hours of public departments and bring in more efficiency.

Check commercial vehicles: Why the government is not strict on commercial vehicles like trucks and buses which emit thick black smoke and make our living

a hell. We need to implement strict plan on use of these vehicles to check air pollution in Delhi and NCR areas. 

The odd-even experiment is no doublet a good beginning but this is not the solution to the growing pollution problem. The government needs to be more serious towards other issues and adopt a wider strategy to tackle this menace.

NOTE

Also Read my other Blogs on Delhi:

1) BECOMING KEJRIWAL! (2020)
https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2020/02/becoming-kejriwal.html

2) हवा ही है ज़हरीली (2019)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2019/12/blog-post.html 

3) अब दिल्ली महानगरपाविका चुनाव (2017)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-post.html

4) Monsoon and Delhi Roads (2017)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2017/07/monsoon-and-delhi-roads.html

5) Delhi Pollution: Fighting Odds to make Things Even (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/01/delhi-pollution-fighting-odds-to-make.html

6) Delhi Pollution- Check 'Green Agenda' of Builders (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/delhi-pollution-time-to-check-green.html

7) Delhi Pollution: Mindless Driving Major Concern (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/mindless-driving-polluting-delhi.html

8) मैं और मेरी दिल्ली (2011)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post.html