This refers to “Taxing traffic tangles” (March 25) and the suggestion that a congestion tax be levied at Rs 1,000 per day in certain parts of metros. The idea, taken from countries like the UK, can never work in a country like India. If you are going to levy a Rs 1,000 tax to drive into Connaught Place, for example, that is tantamount to banning cars. So why not just ban cars?
A congestion tax is fair only if there are alternatives for commuters. Few metros, including the Capital, have enough comfortable alternatives. Even if you travel in a metro, the connections from the metro station to other parts of the city are poor; the bus corridor has been a disaster.
Namit Bhalla, New Delhi
Readers should write to:
The Editor, Business Standard,
Nehru House,
4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi 110 002,
Fax: (011) 23720201;
letters@bsmail.in
