With reference to "Odd-even worked well but don't extend it: Survey" (January 13), though the Aam Aadmi Party government's odd-even traffic regulation, which the Delhi High Court refused to intervene in, is laudable, there needs to be careful analysis of data collected during the trial period. So far, studies by various agencies show little or no effect of the policy on pollution levels, although the Delhi government claims success. So far, particulate matter levels have shown no or negligible change.
The actual effects would be known only if chemical analyses for toxic gases like nitric oxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are made available. Studies also need to be done at different climatic conditions. Of course, the odd-even plan has resulted in less traffic leading to faster movement of vehicles that may produce more suspended particulate matter (SPM). Roads should be cleaned up using vacuum cleaners with wet scrubber to reduce SPM.
Liberal exemptions and malpractices may defeat the purpose of the odd-even regulation. Besides proper road clean-up, the government can take deterrent measures to curb single occupancy of cars, prune exemptions and expand public transport. For the long term, the Centre should encourage production and use of electric cars, CNG, speedy implementation of high quality fuel standards and expand metro rail projects.
N Ramamurthy Chennai
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
