The Delhi Government claims that the odd-even car-rationing scheme has been a success, but there’s no real improvement in air quality. It’s not necessary that every policy will work but the party must admit its mistake
The national capital is now working on the whims and fancies of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the National Green Tribunal, who have embarked on an anti-pollution drive. Their efforts remind us of US comedian Stephen Colbert’s famous phrase about, “Things which are not true, but one wishes it were true.
The odd-even car rationing scheme that came into force in the national capital from January 1, has failed to significantly reduce pollution. Instead, people have spent large sums of money in the cacophony of this scheme in the most unscientific manner. While on the one hand, Delhiites are spending more on taxis and autos to commute, on the other hand, their commute time has also increased.
This has caused immense loss not only to Delhi and possibly the entire nation. The “truthiness”, an unscientific approach by Mr Kejriwal to counter pollution, is not sanctioned by the law. Moreover, the imposition of a heavy fine of Rs 2,000 on those disobeying the rule has led to a chaotic situation all over the NCR.
This scheme has become a burden for the Delhi Government as it has incurred much loss. It is spending huge sums of money on the 4,500 civil defence volunteers who monitor the scheme. All that these volunteers do is hold placards — an indirect propaganda effort of the party.
Absenteeism in offices has increased by at least 10 per cent to 15 per cent. And this includes not only car owners, but those who use the public transport system. Since buses and metro-trains have become all the more crowded, many prefer to give their work a miss.
Not all car-owners are rich, but many have been forced to buy a vehicle because the public transport system is awful. One can only guess the losses in terms of wages and disruption to work.
While pollution levels have risen, who is at faultIJ Obviously, the cars. What is the principleIJ It is the polluters who have to pay. Good logic, but who allowed the manufacturing of these carsIJ It is the State Government, which thrives on higher registration and parking charges.
As per the Motor Vehicles Act of 1988, vehicles not more than 15 years old can ply in the national capital. The Act allows the vehicles to ply throughout the year. Surprisingly, the registering agency itself is flouting the law by not allowing citizens to drive their vehicles everyday. If the NGT is so concerned about pollution, why does it not stop the production of carsIJ
That utopian ideas do not work is also amplified by the way the private firm collecting toll tax for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi opted out of its contract earlier this month. One reason discussed in hushed tones is the ‘underhand’ payments made to the implementers of the ‘super pollution tax’ on heavy vehicles. Yes, if laws are terse, such deals are common.
Had the odd-even scheme been successful, one would have been happy. The following reports will speak for themselves. The BBC, on January 6, claimed that PM10 pollution level in Delhi increased to near 500 microgrammes from 400 microgrammes on December 3. This on a day when there was supposedly 50 per cent less cars on Delhi roads.
The BBC’s claim is supported by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, an initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It has been found that in Delhi, the air had PM10 concentrations of 466.6 microgrammes. The corresponding safe limit is 100 microgrammes.
Even PM2.5 pollutants have not shown any remarkable change, reports DNA. The average level of PM 2.5 was around 180 microgrammes per cubic metre, three times above the safe limit of 60 microgrammes per cubic metre. Real-time ambient air data of the Central Pollution Control Board does not show any decline in air pollution levels, reported Times of India. Mr Kejriwal and his team need to be honest on an issue that has rocked the people in Delhi. They need to admit their mistake.
The method of calculating particulate matter too needs to be studied. There are World Health Organisation standards, apparently based on European conditions. In tropical conditions, the dust level is always higher. One measure may not be good for all. International agencies mostly serving the Western cause have developed standards that are not workable in tropical dusty conditions like that of Delhi.
The WHO has found that in Afghanistan, cities have PM10 pollutants at 260-334 microgrammes; that in the Pakistani cities of lahore and Peshawar, it is 198 microgrammes and 540 microgrammes respectively; that Dhaka is at 180 microgrammes while Delhi is at 286 microgrammes. Clearly, Delhi is not at the higher end of the pollution radar.
A probe must be ordered into the functioning of the NGT, the AAP Government and all others that are raising false bogies.