Letters: How to curb pollution

This is with reference to Govindraj Ethiraj's article, "Better cities, not just better air" (May 26). Dario Hidalgo, the renowned transport planner from the Colombian city of Bogota, who inspired the building of bus rapid transport system in the US, China, Brazil and Ahmedabad in India, said: "A successful city is one where people feel encouraged to walk or go biking."

Today, Bogota and Curitiba (Brazil) have among the world's best urban transport systems, and can offer a lesson to cities in India. Cities aspiring to become smart should aim to reduce their carbon footprint from vehicular emissions through such measures as strengthening the public transport system, car-pooling, cycling (with dedicated tracks), draught animal power (at least in Tier 2 cities and villages) and promotion of non-oil and less-polluting alternatives like electric and CNG vehicles.

Manufacturers should design cars that are Bharat VI-compliant so that these can derive more mileage per unit of fuel consumed. They should also fit into the exhaust of cars cleaning mechanisms such as particulate traps and urea-SCR (selective catalytic reduction) deNox system that lower sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions.

I am reminded of an anecdote by the illustrious Gandhian economist J C Kumarappa. Once when he tried to enter Rashtrapati Bhawan in a bullock cart to attend a Planning Commission meeting, he was stopped at the gates for reasons of security and safety. He later raised the issue with Jawaharlal Nehru during a discussion, saying that "a bullock cart driver in a democracy was as much a citizen as the prime minister and that it was an insult to deny him the use of a public road... When there are two persons in a public place and the presence of one is likely to be a menace to the other, common sense would lead to restraining the source of danger rather than the possible victim... under such circumstances instead of put up notices saying, 'motor cars and lorries not allowed'".

Today, cyclists and pedestrians are giving a similar call. I hope the government heeds their concern and ushers in sustainable development.

C V Krishna Manoj, Hyderabad

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