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

DELHI POLLUTION: FIGHTING ODDS TO MAKE THINGS EVEN

BY APURVA RAI

DELHI has emerged as one of the most polluted cities in the world, particularly concerning quality of air. A World Health Organisation report in 2014 said that 13 of the world's 20 most polluted cities were in India, with New Delhi being worst among them.

A glance through Air Quality Index indicates that those living in the national capital should avoid moving out in open. Shameful, isn't it for any city! 

Still, how long can one stay indoors! Whether you are a student, a worker, a businessperson or a housewife at times it becomes imperative to move out. Nobody can afford to stay behind the doors for a long time as neither the human temperament allows it nor the circumstances permit.

A SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) study earlier this year showed that the rise in the number of vehicles has led to emissions from the transport sector growing by more than 30% between 2010 and 2014, accompanied by a marginal increase of around 5% due to rise in traffic density in terms of dust.

Experts warn outdoor exposure can lead to severe health issues. Breathlessness, asthama, harm to lungs, heart and digestive systems are many factors that affect people irrespective of their age. Traffic policemen wearing masks at different crossings is a common sight in the national capital. Not only this one can also see small children going to schools and others going to workplaces wearing masks to prevent inhaling toxic air.

The air pollution has recorded a sharp increase forcing the Delhi government to take some harsh decisions to check the deteriorating air quality and frequent smog that engulfs the city and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR).

BEATING ODD-EVEN FORMULA
Fighting pollution has become one of the most challenging problems for the Delhi government. One method adopted by the government is allowing private four-wheelers on alternate days according to the vehicle registration number. This means that vehicles bearing an even number will run on even days and vehicles with odd number will run only on odd days.
 
The odd-even formula is the hottest topic of discussion and most people living in Delhi and NCR are either busy finding methods to prove odd-even formula defunct. Does it not sound funny that those living in one of the most polluted cities are discussing car numbers rather than methods to improve the quality of air in their city. Instead, they are busy finding methods that their driving continues uninterrupted irrespective of the day whether it is odd or even. People are heard saying with pride that they possess two cars-- one with odd number plate and another with even number plate.

While the government has resorted to giving all publicity to the odd-even driving formula it has not even once come out with other methods to fight air pollution in Delhi. The silence of Delhi government over methods to increase green cover, check mindless construction activity and addressing the problem of waste management is very loud and clear. What one is made to understand is that passenger cars are the biggest culprit and are doing nothing but polluting the city's air.

I feel pity for poor cars!

LOST FOCUS
The efforts of the Delhi government to check rising air pollution suffers major setback when other factors like smoke belching public and commercial vehicles, illegal factories, massive solid waste on the roads, burning of bio-wastes, out-dated thermal power plants, open sewage drains and diesel generators are not addressed in right ernest.

Go around the markets and industrial belts during power cuts and it wouldn't be difficult to find diesel generators polluting the air with their thick black smoke besides making best contribution to noise pollution as well. But who cares. You will be challaned in Delhi only if you are travelling in a car with odd number on even date.

To beat the odd-even formula a large number of people have purchased more cars. And yes, there is no penalty for that. One can go on buying any number of cars without any check as long as there is money in pocket. This means that the number of cars in Delhi will definitely go up manifold soon which in turn will have its adverse effect on quality of air in the national capital. Thus all efforts of the government to reduce the number of cars on Delhi roads will soon have a contradictory effect in near future.

Certainly your prosperity becomes a problem for me. But who listens and who cares! The govenment is alright as long as people are driving with even number cars on even days and so on.

TREE PLANTATION IGNORED
It is a common sense that air pollution can be best tackled with vast green cover. Surprisingly the Delhi government never thought of it and has not presented any roadmap how to increase green belts and green areas in the city. Nobody cares even if encroachments are made on vacant lands and commercial activities flourish there. Large chunks of vacant lands and public parks in Delhi are used by small- time vendors to earn their livelihood.

 These people come there, sell their goods, make the surroundings dirty and leave. Nobody to check them as long as they are greasing the palms of policemen or other concerned people.

Has anybody thought of planting trees or making huge nurseries on such vacant lands? One needs to understand that trees too give large business but you need to commercialise plantation activity for this. The government needs to form green areas and develop them as tourist attractions. This will have double benefit-- it will yield good profits beside cleaning the quality of air.

CHECK CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
The government has largely turned a blind eye on mindless construction activity within city limits and NCR areas. Any decent apartment within municipal limits of the national capital costs anything above half-a-crore rupees. How many people can afford to buy these houses and who are the ones buying them? Or how many of the needy persons are buying these flats or can afford to buy one? Has the government ever checked this!

A lot of black money is pumped in buying flats after flats either in Delhi or NCR because there is no restriction on buying private builder houses. Splurge because nobody will ask you questions and also because construction activity is not listed as major contributor to polluting air in Delhi.

It is time time to recall that presence of fine dust in Delhi's air is the result of massive construction activity. It has now been established that Delhi is not a good place for those suffering from asthama or other lung diseases. But Delhi is certainly a good place to invest money in apartments no matter whether you need it or or not.

Construction activity will come down if houses are purchased by and constructed for the needy only. Once this happens the pollution level will see a significant drop automatically.

However, the odd-even formula has been implemented in Delhi and its results are keenly awaited. Whatever the outcome, it is certainly a good beginning as it shows the sincerity of the administration to check rising air pollution. My Second Opinion is that it would have been much better if the government had come up with a bunch of measures rather than putting aam admi to self-imposed inconvenience.

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NOTE

Also read other my other pieces:

Copy/ Paste the given links to reads these Blogs. 

1) BECOMING KEJRIWAL! (2019)
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 Fights Pollution: Odds Come Again (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/04/delhi-fights-pollution-odds-come-again.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