Exemptions would compromise effectiveness of oddeven plan: CSE

Bs_logoImage
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Dec 24 2015 | 9:48 PM IST
A city-based green body today extended support to the odd-even scheme proposed by the Delhi government to curb pollution but expressed disappointment over the range of exemptions granted to several vehicle segments, saying such a condition would "compromise" the effectiveness of the plan.
"CSE expresses disappointment at the range of exemptions granted to different vehicle segments - most notably the two-wheelers and single women-driven cars. This creates loopholes and leakages in the programme that can compromise the overall effectiveness of the programme," Centre for Science and Environment said.
These exemptions can "seriously compromise" the effectiveness of this emergency action needed to control the peak pollution levels during winters, it said.
CSE estimates have shown that two-wheelers because of their staggering numbers, contribute as much as 31 per cent of the total particulate load from vehicles.
"If this segment is left out and a sizeable number of cars are also allowed because of the exemption granted to single women drivers, the overall effectiveness of the programme will be compromised.
"It cannot act as an emergency measure to bring down the peak pollution level. CSE would like to urge the government to bring two-wheelers within the mandate of this programme," it said.
CSE said that the government must take into account the fact that once this programme gets implemented and personal vehicles numbers on the roads are halved, road space will be freed up for more improved operations of all buses, autos and taxis.
It said that the existing and the augmented bus numbers can do more trips and carry more people and currently, the fleet utilisation of available bus fleet in Delhi is very poor and a large number of bus trips are missed because of congestion.
"With traffic volumes halved, bus services can be augmented. Moreover, additional buses, pooling and sharing of two-wheelers and cars will further improve the overall carrying capacity of the available fleet," Executive Director, CSE, Anumita Roy Chowdhury said.
Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 24 2015 | 9:48 PM IST