We are against all cars: CSE

9TH AUTO EXPO 2008

Tata's small car has got mixed reactions from environment groups. While R K Pachauri, who heads the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recently called it an environmental nightmare, Centre for Science and Environment says it has nothing against the small car.

Says director Sunita Narain on the eve of the unveiling of the much talked about car: "It is worth celebrating as it makes cars affordable to the common man. We have nothing against the small car. But it is a fact that the small car, the big car and the scooters put together are providing transport only to 20 per cent of people in Delhi. So it is not a solution to the problem of congestion or pollution."

"The small car is worth celebrating as it will help meet the aspirations of a large number of people. But it is not the same as meeting the needs of a large number of people," she says.

She pointed out that Tata makes buses and in Delhi it makes 10 buses a month. So you see where their priorities are.

"We want auto manufacturers to be our heroes. Let them provide solutions for public transport," was her message to Tata and to all other auto manufacturers flaunting their stuff at the auto expo.

Dinesh Mohan of the IIT Delhi goes one step further to actually praise the small car. He says: "Those who oppose it are like dogs in the manger who dont want everyone to have a car they themselves possess. If at all anyone wants clean air, let them give up their big cars and SUVs and their second and third cars.