Concerned over the growing level of green house gases in cities, the government is planning to bring about a stringent law – National Action Plan on Climate Change, to delimit number of private vehicles in metros. These vehicles are one of the major sources of urban pollution – mainly the green house gases which are behind global warming.
According to one estimate, in the past few years, the number of private vehicles has shown impressive growth while the public transport has plunged from 69% to 38%. The toxic emissions from these have led to the increase in temperature even in cities like Bangalore which was once used to be the late ‘Bird man’ ornithologist Salim Ali’s favorite haunts.
Of late, the government is contemplating a stringent law to plug further deterioration to urban atmosphere. If the things go by the rule book this would make the environment more comforting and less choking. Paradoxically, the National Action Plan on Climate Change – the law proposed by the government to make city more habitable and life sustaining, suffers from certain lacunae that peeves vehicle owners. Environmentalist call it a “collateral damage”
The law says a person is required to inform authorities regarding parking space prior to getting new vehicles. Mumbai is going skyward; thanks to the redevelopment spree triggered by the new administration. Ironically, a majority of high rises either lacks or have inadequate multi-tier parking facility. Vehicles are routinely parked on either side of the streets, eating up at least one third of the driving area – a sight that has degenerated to cliché. The civic agencies have virtually failed in its commitment. The vehicle owners may have to cough up extra penny for parking their vehicles in congested areas like Kalbadevi, Bhuleshwar, Chirabazar, CP Tank, Dadar, et al as ‘congestion tax’, if this new law sees the light of day.
Besides these, the vehicles have to undergo pollution checks on routine basis. According to a survey conducted by the Urban Development Ministry, in the next 26 years the vehicular pollution would witness six time increase during this period. The private vehicles – mostly cars, are driven by petrol that emits more hazardous fumes. It lingers on for some more time in the atmosphere.
Until we find eco-friendly fuel that causes less pollution, we cannot do away with it by resorting to any policy measure, howsoever that may appear rosy.
