Letters: Combating pollution

With reference to "Evening the odds" (May 2), the editorial clearly indicates that the "net" outcome of the second phase of the odd-even scheme, which ended on Saturday, was not quite "encouraging" as measured by Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai himself, irrespective of various "contributory" factors that caused such a situation to emerge. It may be pertinent to point out that the National Green Tribunal, too, had asked the Central Pollution Control Board to collect data related to the capital's pollution levels during the odd-even scheme and its findings reportedly did not present a rosy picture for the Delhi government's ambitious programme.

Even now, a report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has showed no significant change in absolute pollution levels over the fortnight of the scheme. It's a different matter that a survey of over 1,000 people conducted by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry met with wide appreciation of the scheme because of a cut in commuter time and thereby lower individual exposure to pollutants in traffic. I fully endorse the editorial views that besides augmenting public transport by increasing the number of buses on the city's roads, greater emphasis should be laid on improving traffic management through better synchronised traffic signals, altering office times and limiting the timing of construction activity. Perhaps, following lane driving strictly could also lessen traffic jams on the city's roads.

Read more from our special coverage on "ODD-EVEN SCHEME"

• Next Odd-Even phase only after public consultation: Satyendar Jain
• Delhis air pollution rises 23% during second odd-even phase
• Second odd-even scheme ends, Kejriwal terms it success
• Delhi govt says it may exempt lawyers in the next odd-even scheme
• HC asks whether lawyers can be exempted for remaining period

In all fairness, the state government's decision to solely target private cars (though not a major contributor to the city's pollution) through road rationing by leaving out the unreliable auto-rickshaw services and the two-wheelers could always make its task more complicated. The state government should also try to make an "honest" and true value-based assessment of the post-"odd-even II" situation instead of making tall claims about its success based on preconceived notions. The Delhi government, whose ministers and MLAs are credited with meticulously following the odd-even rule, may have to "rework" all its plans and strategies in coordination with all stakeholders. More importantly, it must not only identify the "real culprits" who greatly pollute the capital's air but also take them off the roads. There should be no exemptions on any grounds whatsoever. After all, the ill-effects of rampant air pollution will never differentiate between VIPs and the common man.

Kumar Gupt Panchkula

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