NEED FOR BOOSTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Apropos the editorial ‘Problem of cars, not rickshaws’ (HT, Nov 6), measures such as car-free day, ban on diesel autos, car pooling are being introduced across the nation. However, reliable and affordable public transport is the only alternative to check urban traffic. Recently, the Singapore government decided to freeze the number of private cars on its roads for at least two years, while pledging a new multi-billion dollar investment in the public transport network, a rare move in Asia where many cities are increasingly gridlocked. Why can’t we emulate Singapore, where 65% commutersusepublictransportation?

SK Khosla, Chandigarh instead of e-rickshaws, cars should be banned. Being a frequent old Delhi visitor, I always find cars blocking roads in the Chandni Chowk area. Shops in katras are involved in cloth business. The heavy bales of cloth are shifted from shops with the help of rickshaws, jhalliwalas and handdriven rehras. If these modes are banned, businesses will come to a standstill. Cars will hamper business in the walled city. The committee which recommended reducing the number of e-rickshaws perhaps did so for its own convenience.

RL Bansal, Kurukshetra defeated the defending champions China in the Asia Cup and made the nation proud. It was only a little while back that the men’s team had won the same title. At present, we are leading Asian hockey and are moving towards achieving our lost glory of being world champions. The government and even the corporate world should come forward for financial support so that the players remain motivated. Kamal Kumar Arora,

Panchkula