To breathe easy, do your bit first

It’s a great idea to have car-free zones. But city dwellers may not warm up to the plan

Urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu told the New Delhi Municipal Council on Wednesday to convert Connaught Place (CP) and Khan Market into ‘no vehicle zones’ to curb the city’s air pollution and traffic congestion. The city of about 20 million, which ranks among the world’s top cities with its toxic air on a WHO list, has been struggling to clean up its air that contains a cocktail of dust, smoke and gases. While car-free zones are a great idea, there are several reasons why it may not work.

First, the lack of affordable, safe and assured public transport pushes people to use their own vehicles. The Delhi Metro is a boon but one system of transport is never going to be enough for a city of Delhi’s size. Second, Delhi is full to the brim with VIPs. Will they agree to leave their cars and walk to Khan Market/CP? In fact, both Khan Market and CP are connected by the Delhi Metro, but how many of Lutyens’ Delhi residents use it? If they can’t use a first-class system such as the Delhi Metro, I don’t think they will use any alternative transport system (battery-operated cars etc) that could be made available by the government to access these popular spots. If they don’t lead the way, then be sure those in non-Lutyens areas won’t either, citing all kinds of challenges. In the West, politicians use cycles/public transport to reach their offices. Here, ministers don’t even use the Airport Express but opt for their polluting cavalcades. Mr Naidu must lead the way in this and start using public transport whenever possible.

However, let’s not blame the residents of Lutyens’ Delhi only. There are many among us who abhor the idea of walking. It’s a culture, and fitness issue: To many among us, cars are an accessory and add to our social stature. What’s the point of buying a fancy car with a fancy number plate and not moving around in it? Will people give up their vehicles for a pollutionfree city? Not likely. Then there are the traders who are always against a ban on cars in certain areas, and the government of the day listens to them because they are useful during civic elections. Moreover, there is no political will to push this idea through. There is never likely to be. Last but not the least, what is stopping the government from taxing cars and hiking parking fees in areas such as CP? The counter-argument of the carloving brigade is lack of proper urban transport over-crowding, weather etc. But unless people shift to public transport, there will be no investment in it. But do remember, if you can’t do your bit to curb pollution then don’t expect clean air.