This refers to the editorial, “When fuel comes pricey” (September 18). Besides economic factors being involved in fuel pricing, for a country like India, it is salutary in a way that the prices remain high to reduce traffic congestion on roads. Traffic situation in the country is a consequence of our lopsided planning where vehicular occupancy on the road has no relevance with infrastructure. While statistics on a monthly vehicular production could provide elation because of shareholders’ profits and auto-production targets, we continue to be blind-folded of many of its fallouts. Devastating pollution caused by motor traffic is choking our lives. Is the general public’s pockets superior to all these concernsIJ What happens to our environment, greenhouse gases, hapless health situation, high decibel noises, mounting traffic deaths, lowering of our economic productivity, colossal waste of passengers’ time, rising frustration and road rage are nobody’s concern.
In many European countries, the price of fuels is kept high because of the taxes levied viz Netherlands, where tax on fuel is around 70 per cent. These taxes go for free education, state-of-the-art infrastructure, free high quality health services, and many other social benefits. India’s pricey fuel must justify their level, failing which, social and political discord could be the natural consequences.