We're against all cars, says CSE chief

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, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) today said it has nothing against the small car.

Sunita Narain, director, CSE, said 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. So 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% 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 said.

She said that Tata makes buses and in Delhi it makes ten 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 IIT Delhi went one step further to actually praise the small car. "Those who oppose it are like dogs in the manger who don't 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. Let the state have a pollution tax of about Rs 2000 a year which can be used to create dedicated tracks for cycles and buses," he said.