Delhi Government’s push for electric buses in the city should be applauded and appreciated because it would bring both pollution and congestion under a check. But I also believe that Aam Aadmi Party should also focus on giving special incentives and subsidies on electronic vehicles. It would encourage the common junta affecting a social and behavioural change. Because awareness in the absence of it would yield no positive outcomes.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken a bold and decisive call by introducing odd and even as a successful measure for declogging the arterial roads of the capital connecting one intersection with the other. However, this isn’t enough with Delhi gasping for breath given its air quality index fluctuates between very poor and severe.
Graded Response Action Plans were conceived as a bouquet that could have significantly cut down upon the sources of pollution but it wasn’t that impactful, except for grabbing eyeballs and headlines. Hence, the onus on fixing the failures and faults lies squarely with the Dilli sarkar for all its admirations and aspirations of making Delhi a world-class city that could inspire and attract all of us alike.
No matter, Mr Chief Minister repeatedly puffs and thumps his chest with pride but this alone won’t do in Delhi’s fight with hazardous and toxic levels of pollutants; pollutants that are affecting the social, moral, mental and physical upkeep of the individual for the worst, as illustrated with the imposition of lockdowns and curfews in the wake of Covid pandemic.
I strongly support the idea of concessions to those switching to electronic vehicles than for those who aren’t yet convinced and would like to bargain a bit. Delhi Government in consultation with the lieutenant governor should come up with a blueprint at the earliest if for making this agenda more conclusive and vibrant.