The Delhi govt. has reintroduced
the odd/ even formula for a 15 day period on April 15th on popular
demand they claim; Arvind Kejriwal – the Delhi CM – announced that as per a
poll conducted, 81% of Delhi respondents wanted reintroduction of the scheme
with 61% insisting on making it a permanent feature. Delhi has a population of
about 2 crores (1.68 crores as per 2011 census) & 28 lakh cars (14%) & Kejriwal’s
revelations, perhaps, indicate that non car users – the core support base of
AAP - must have demanded such a scheme. It would be interesting to understand
how many of the car owners polled wanted this scheme to be introduced especially
when alternative public transport arrangements have not been strengthened. One must, however, hasten to add that that
while only 15% of the people travel by cars, they occupy 90% of road space; with
26% of Delhi being under roads – a decent figure – & 66 flyovers, de-clogging
of roads is definitely a good measure to enhance vehicular velocity though not
necessarily pollution.
When this policy was run for a trial period between
Jan 1-15th this year, it earned plaudits from many international
media houses including Fox news. A
critique of that trial is listed below.
Measures announced as part of the
13 point action plan in Jan such as the introduction of suction machines for
road cleanliness & green cover on side-walks to prevent dust rise are yet
to be fully implemented. With no / meagre accretion to the Delhi Transport
Corporation(DTC) bus fleet of 4461 - though 3000 busses were budgeted - & no
addition to the battery operated vehicles/ e –rickshaws for last mile connectivity
it is appears that reintroduction of the scheme during this summer is ill
thought out. While a subsidy of Rs 15000
per unit was paid for 3709 battery operated vehicles & e rickshaws last
year & the amount doubled to Rs 30000/- this year, it would take some more
time before many take advantage of this scheme. None would however counter the urgent
need to combat pollution & create awareness for Delhi is one of the most
polluted cities in the world.
PM2.5 micro-particles are classed
as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and are
responsible for lung & heart diseases. The official safe limit for PM2.5
particles - set by the WHO and the European Union - is 25 micrograms per cubic
metre while the US mandates a far higher threshold of 12 micrograms per cubic
metre. Air in Delhi is 30 times the US limit and more than 15 times the WHO
safe limit
Sunita Narain of CSE (Centre for
Science & Environment) contents that pollution was stagnant during the
trial period as compared to the previous month but was lower than that of Jan 2015.
Therefore, it would be reasonable to infer that had the scheme not been
introduced, pollution in Delhi would have been worse.
Prof Dinesh Mohan of IIT Delhi has argued that PM 2.5 accounts for 30%
of the pollution mix & 4 wheelers account for 20% of that number & a
50% reduction in 4 wheeler vehicular traffic vide the odd/even scheme
translates to a theoretical reduction of PM 2.5 by 3% only; however, courtesy, exemptions
& violations, 4 wheeler traffic actually reduced by 30% only & therefore PM 2.5 must have reduced by about 2% & hence “not substantial”. Likewise, average vehicular speeds increased by a “marginal”
5% as per the same study although it varied throughout the day. From the Research
conducted by Ministry of Environmental Protection in China one can deduce that automobiles
account for a higher percentage of pollutants when there is severe pollution,
because other pollution sources are more stable. Therefore, limiting the no of
vehicles on roads as an “emergency measure” is an effective intervention to reduce
the number of days with extreme smog. If made “permanent”,
though, it would invite violations as it happened in Mexico City, Bogota et al,
either through the fake no plate route – a joy to dubious traders – or addition of an alternate no plate vehicle by the prosperous effectively nullifying the objectives
of the scheme. Implementing the odd/even scheme as part of a “basket of
measures” is therefore recommended for greater effect.
Basket of Measures
Strengthening public transport is
the urgent need. The success of the Delhi metro shows that once provided with a
comfortable "value for money" option citizens are more than willing to make a shift from
earlier practices. Launching the scheme during the hot summer - when pollution
is lower as compared to winter - is therefore ill advised. Prudence demands implementation
of the scheme only after the last mile connectivity issues are addressed to avoid civilian
discomfiture.
The current scheme suffers from many
deficiencies. Running the scheme not for
the entire day but only between 8 AM to 8 PM ensures only a change in traffic
pattern without a commensurate reduction in pollution. Running it for a 24 hour
period - without any exceptions - to VIPs, women or children going to schools-
would ensure better results. Delhi has
56 lakh two wheelers & 27 lakh four wheelers & not applying the
odd/even scheme to the former is a sub optimal solution.
Some cities have tried stricter models of not allowing vehicles into the CBD (Central Business
district); walking, cycling & use of public transport are encouraged in
that order & it resulted in small businesses in those areas doing remarkably
well because of enhanced business from the increased pedestrian traffic. This
too should be replicated in the NCR.
It is, however, disconcerting that
there is no discussion on implementation of stricter norms of managing
construction dust which is arguably the largest pollutant in the NCR. Additional Solicitor General, Pinky Anand appearing
for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in the National Green Tribunal
(NGT) hearings, averred that most countries adopt fitness tests, including
emission checks of vehicle as a criterion for curbing pollution and not the age
of the vehicle. This assertion needs a wider debate to check if this is a better
measure than a ban on vehicles over 15 years old.
Only when all the above basket of
measures are combined with making an effort to make Delhi an “eco city” would
the results be dramatic providing relief to the hoi polloi.
Making Delhi an “Eco City”
Delhi should plan to become an
“eco city” -based on several criteria including “zero waste” – through recycle
& reuse policy - & “zero carbon emissions” – by relying entirely on
renewable energy. Individuals, corporates & governments should join hands
to ensure that there is a massive shift towards walking, biking & public
transportation, through “environmental education”. High urban density would be
a likely consequence which would free up vast land tracks to be used for parks
& urban agriculture. Unlike the current situation where agricultural goods
are transported from the rural hinterland to the urban centres adding to the
“carbon emissions’ this policy would promote more of local production &
procurement promoting ecological preservation. If you add increased productivity in manufacturing it would
automatically lead to a reduction in energy usage & promote greater
sustainability.
Air pollution has been
responsible for cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer & heart diseases. More
of green cover helps absorb carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulphur dioxide
as well as absorb airborne particulates and reduce heat, thereby promoting
public health.
Delhi govt. should take advantage
of the “solar mission” & offer, on tender, the rooftops of govt. buildings
to private parties to establish solar panels & sell power to the Delhi
govt. This should be supplemented with a model of allowing all consumers in
Delhi to replicate the same with the incentive to generate an additional income
by selling excess power so generated to the grid – a model successfully
implemented in Germany. Asking the Delhi development authority (DDA) which comes
under the National Govt. to release land for setting up additional solar parks
should be also done & surplus power, if generated, should be shared with neighbouring
states which shall then be amenable to persuasions on closing down their coal
powered plants. This is critical since air pollution in Delhi is also caused by
polluting industries in neighbouring states.
Govt. efforts would be futile if
citizens lack responsibility & civic sense; therefore efforts should be
made to make pollution reduction a mass movement & encourage behavioural change through mass media.
Citizen contribution
Civic consciousness among the
citizens has to be enhanced to encourage “Recycling & Reuse” of paper,
plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, ink cartridges and aluminium cans etc. Segregation
of household waste at home hopefully would reduce chances of a repeat of the Deonar
dumping ground fire disaster at Mumbai. Segregated vegetable waste can be used to
produce compost to be used for plants at home; planting deciduous trees around
one’s house helps provide shade in summer & allow light in winter. Buying
organic foods would over a period of time reduce the consumption of pesticides,
fungicides, herbicides & artificial fertilizers. Likewise, reduction of
energy consumption at home by switching off gadgets when not in use & using
natural light often is recommended, for electricity is largely produced from
thermal sources which contribute substantially to pollution. Buying energy
efficient devices by closely following the “Star Rating” & shifting to
solar is always a better option. Germany has proved that each home can generate
additional electricity vide solar to he handed over to the grid generating an
additional income too in the bargain.
Conclusion
Unlike solid waste, air pollution
traverses across cities & hence is more complex to control. Some of the
steps taken by Beijing include suspending schools,
banning fireworks & outdoor barbecuing
& introducing vehicles quotas to make vehicle acquisition difficult. Some of these have not been attempted in
Delhi yet, perhaps, a consequence of a benevolent democracy.
Making the cost of acquisition of
the 2nd vehicle & beyond, disproportionately high, as attempted in
certain countries needs to be immediately implemented. Penalizing the
acquisition of diesel vehicles - the worst polluters – is needed; however govt.
should have announced a roadmap on the same to avoid auto corporations from
making additional investments on plants manufacturing diesel engine. Preponing the implementation of Bharat VI
norms to 2017 against 2019, however, would help. Encouraging “carpooling” shall
reduce pollution as well as improve social contacts which have reduced in this
fast paced world. AAP should tap the RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations) &
it’s much feted Mohalla Sabhas to make this an unstoppable movement.
No comments:
Post a Comment