ODD MUST GET EVEN

 “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. 

I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will be as one.“

(Lines from a John Lennon song. Also tweeted by Kejriwal)

The first day of Odd Even experiment in the national capital has evoked mixed response. The Delhi Chief Minister and his transport minister have expressed satisfaction over the day’s outcome claiming some respite from pollution. The motorists at large were happy with lakhs of cars off the road. The roads looked wider and traffic thinner, thanks also to the school holidays, which naturally keeps thousands of yellow buses off the roads.  The opposition parties dished out guarded responses albeit almost predicting the failure of the experiment.

The meteorological conditions prevailing in the region have already provided a healing touch with pollution levels down by more than 50 percent from the last week. Nature seems to be siding with the AAP government! In fact, as a citizen of Delhi, every body should come together to fight the menace of pollution that is affecting the lives of all of us inhabiting this great city that happens to be the greenest capital of the world.

The IIT report on pollution is quite damning. And the initiative of the Delhi government is quite off the mark as well. Maximum pollution (24%?) is being caused by 50 lakh odd two wheelers that have surprisingly been given an exemption giving opportunity to AAP government critics. 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. The matter is in the court and a judicial pronouncement may be expected on the 6^th of January. The AAP government should at least isolate two wheelers with two stroke engines that cause 4 to 6 times more pollution. 

Another 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 IIT report finds road dust and solid waste to be bigger culprits than automobiles. The automakers fortified with this report in their arsenal are pointing an accusing finger at the misplaced restriction only on vehicles. Sweeping of roads and wide ranging construction activities to bolster Delhi’s infrastructure would call for radical solutions. Delhi government has promised to start vacuum cleaning of roads come April. Only time will tell how far the experiment will be successful. At present there is no low cost technology available to suit the Indian conditions. The mechanized sweepers acquired by various Municipal bodies are lying idle for one or the other reason. Timely completion of infrastructure projects in and around Delhi will also make its denizens breathe a bit easier. The Centre and the Delhi governments SHOULD put a premium on conclusion of these projects.

The government's decision to add another 15,000 three wheelers will take the number of these low cost means of commute to one lakh. While it may be expedient to add these para modes of transport, such measures do not augur well for an efficient public transport system. The government should have a blueprint for phasing these out by providing a credible public transport system relying on metro and bus connectivity.

Those who anticipated a showdown between Kejriwal and Delhi Police Commissioner Bassi must be disappointed by the maturity shown by both the sides. A meeting between the Transport minister and the Commissioner signaled an end to verbal spat. Training of volunteers by the Delhi Traffic police officials put paid to all speculation of a showdown or non-cooperation by the Delhi Police. The Commissioner made very apolitical and professional statements and ensured that the common dilliwala was not inconvenienced during the implementation of the scheme. The transport department should pay special attention to timely issue of pollution certification of all vehicles. Random checks and heavy penalties will yield positive results. 

The citizens of NCR also deserve kudos for supporting this singular initiative. Very few even numbered cars were seen on the roads. Whatsapp groups were abuzz with pictures of these violators but the numbers remained insignificant. Only 200 grave offenders were challaned against 3500 others who got away with a rose flower stick. Let’s us see what happens on the Even day. The real test, in any case, will be on Monday when NCR will report for work in full force.