This refers to Sunita Narain's column "Delhi's clean-air challenge" (Down to Earth, June 8). Although Narain has cited the example of the Delhi traffic (which has the highest vehicular density among Indian metros), the picture is no different in other metros. During winter, I am sure the Delhi roads will be even more polluting than last year.
An automobile delivers comfort and time-efficient journey to the customer (the owner) but it also produces by-products in the form of harmful air pollutants. In the driving process, the stakeholders are the oil companies that are supposed to produce cleaner fuel; the car companies that are supposed to create designs for a clean car; the governments and the user.
The collective efforts of all these stakeholders can help reduce pollution. The government should encourage car-pooling and the use of public transport systems to restrict air pollution to acceptable levels. We are already late.
Ashok Chakrabarty Kolkata
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