ODD EVEN – ROADMAP

 The Delhi government has seemingly set new standards in public participation in governance by seeking suggestions on the reimplementation of the ODD EVEN formula in Delhi beleaguered with the worst pollution a national capital has seen anywhere in the world. Detractors of AAP could very well say that this exercise is no more than a gimmick to buy time before public transport system is shored up to take extra load. Whatever be the motivation, the endeavor should be genuine to make “Meri Dilli” a cleaner city – notwithstanding the strike by the safai karamcharis.

The gains from the 15-day trial were significant. First and foremost was the willingness of all sections of society to embrace the formula readily and willingly than anticipated by the doomsday sayers. The denizens of Delhi have shown maturity on the issue of pollution and its far-reaching implications on health and future generations.

Second, the pollution levels came down for sure. How much – can be debatable depending on which side of the fence you are. Some of my friends who suffer from asthma reported that they could breathe a bit easy during the trial period. The physicians and pulmonologists are not going to report drop in number of case of respiratory ailments because the damage that has been caused by the pollution will take some time to reverse or show positive results. Most of the scientific studies indicated fall in pollution peak levels.

Third, the traffic snarls became a thing of the past. The speed of the traffic also increased by over 10 km. These are significant gains. Higher speed of city traffic with lesser stoppages and snarls means greater fuel efficiency and lesser pollution. The most significant gain from this jam free traffic was lesser stress suffered by the motorists. The experiment did contribute to calming of nerves and lesser mental stress. Driving in choc-o-bloc traffic can be a draining and frustrating experience.

Fourth, the Metro and DTC ridership recorded 10% and 3% increase. Lack of fleet on the part of DTC could be the reason for lesser increase in ridership than Metro. A number of people who switched to Metro and experienced the ride free of stress have vowed to continue with their commute using public transport. Using public transport is a habit. Both my sons who studied in Delhi and are settled in the US are happy using Metro on their “annual pilgrimage” to Delhi. They find driving a car on Delhi roads a dreadful and stressing experience. More and more people need to use public transport. It is heartening to see that Premier Modi has used and taken on board foreign dignitaries a few times in the past. Such news and visuals motivate people to follow suit.

Metro and DTC authorities need to increase capacity by working overtime. As the penetration of Metro increases covering more areas and another 3,000 buses augment DTC fleet, Delhites will be willing to change their lifestyle adopting public transport.

A word of caution about para modes of transport. Please do not issue more licenses to autos and e-rickshaws because they choke the roads by parking wherever they please. These vehicles do provide the last mile connectivity. But then, the government needs to undertake a study to fix number of such vehicles in a particular locality and create parking places for these. Growth of para modes is an indicator of failure of a public transport system.

Fifth, a big polluter is the 50,000 trucks that enter Delhi in the night to deliver essentials and 28% (?) of the pollution. An out of box solution could be creation of delivery hubs in all four directions to receive the supplies and then transport in CNG vehicles to final destinations. It may reduce the margins of profit by a percent or two, but will rid the capital of 28% pollution. The Apex Court has directed to provide alternate routes to the trucks destined for other cities but currently passing through Delhi.

Sixth, another source of pollution (24%?) are 50 lakh odd two wheelers that had surprisingly been given an exemption during the trial period. AAP government may see votes in the aam aadmi on the bikes, but they surely are doing a great disservice to the cause of arresting pollution and taking meaningful measures to effectively mitigate the situation. A large number of these two wheelers have 2 stroke engines that cause four to six times more pollution. These should be identified and taken off roads. The best would be to destroy these so that these do not find a market in tier 2 or 3 causing pollution there.

Seventh, the Kejriwal government will have to look at the Singapore model where purchase of vehicles is rationed and license fees for the second vehicle is prohibitive. The government may consider rationing vehicles to just one per family provided the buyer is able to prove parking within the premises of the house. Second vehicle should be allowed where parking is available and the license fee could be fixed equal to the cost of the acquisition of the vehicle.

Eighth, the Delhi government should push for fuel reforms. Instead of waiting for 2019 for Bharat Stage 6 fuel, it should be made available by 2017. All automakers should be asked to produce and sell Stage 6 vehicles in India straight away.

Ninth, the governments at the center and the states should stop buying staff cars and those held by them should be auctioned straightaway. Let all officers get transportation allowance and drive to work. This should be applicable to all pillars of government – legislative, executive and judiciary. By providing exemptions and defining a new caste system in bureaucracy will defeat the purpose.

Kejriwal has asked whether the second incarnation of ODD EVEN should be temporary measure or a permanent one. My vote is for a permanent Odd and Even regime, which will force change in attitudes and habits so far as use of public transport is concerned.