Why Delhi odd-even car formula is bound to fail
The debate around air pollution in Delhi has escalated with the recent decision of the Arvind Kejriwal-led state government to restrict the usage of odd and even numbered private vehicles to alternate days from January 1, 2016 for a trial period of 15 days. Alongside the issue of air pollution, there are two more issues which need to be vigorously debated by the authorities and residents of Delhi.
A former BBC staff member who came to our university to conduct a media workshop told us that after travelling back from Delhi to London he felt as if something was missing. He realised that what he sensed amiss was the constant noise he had become accustomed to while travelling in Delhi. He somehow found London's streets to be much quieter than Delhi.
Without delving into any sort of comparisons between London and Delhi, we must be courageous enough to accept truths concerning our city and country. The moment you will step out on the streets of Delhi (of course barring exceptions) one would hear the endless noise of honking. Many people have no sense of patience and cannot wait for a moment without pressing the horn button. Others drive with a hand compulsorily on the horn.
Besides that, we have individuals driving some so-called "royal" and "classic" motorbikes that cause so much of noise that the manufacturers of such bikes should not have been allowed to float them in the market in the first place. The second issue is that of road discipline. Indians are arguably among the most uncultured people when it comes to road behaviour.
We show scant respect for driving rules and are responsible for unleashing mayhem on our roads every day. It is a frequent sight to see people overtake vehicles from the wrong end without even a shred of remorse or regret. Traffic signals are taken least seriously. Such an attitude cuts across classes. Rickshaw pullers argue that they are not meant to follow traffic signals. Many young boys and girls breeze past the red light and don't bother stopping since they think they are participating in a motorbike grand prix instead of travelling on a public road. Some people with cars do the same, probably thinking that they are wasting their time waiting and it's better to complete the Formula One race they are involved in quickly.
Then there are opportunistic people on the road. They follow traffic signals depending on the feasibility of skipping the red light. If there are lots of vehicles coming from the other side, skipping a red light doesn't make sense, but it's perfectly all right to do so if one doesn't find vehicles coming from the opposite side. The collective insensitivity has reached such a level that the same people who are so impatient that they can't even follow traffic lights won't provide way to an ambulance with a patient in need of critical medical help.
The speeding vehicles are unaware about the possibility of people who might be crossing the road on foot who may be run over by these vehicles in a matter of seconds. One need not mention the several road accidents and deaths which take place owing to rash and drunken driving. We also find people shouting and howling on the road, behaving like morons and playing loud music as if travelling on the road is akin to partying. That's the condition of our roads. We not only suffer from air and noise pollution but also uncultured road discipline which is a major irritant.
Let us now discuss the possible solutions to each of these woes beginning with the odd-even formula suggested by the Delhi government to curb air pollution. This idea is bound to fail because the Delhi Police does not have the kind of manpower required to implement this decision. When there are not enough traffic policemen to guard traffic signals, how can the same machinery implement a decision which requires far more effective policing? How will they monitor the entry of vehicles on the road?
Secondly, even if the Delhi government successfully implements the odd-even formula, the question still arises as to how people will commute. There has been no significant improvement in the condition or frequency of public transport. Metro stations like Rajiv Chowk and Kashmere Gate are so overcrowded that it's a miracle that they have avoided a large scale stampede till now. Nevertheless, the possibility of one remains. Buses are packed with some people travelling by just holding on to the door. The mere entry of a few thousand buses on the road, which remains unlikely, won't change the scenario.
There has to be a dramatic increase in the frequency of buses and metros which we don't see happening at the moment. Commuter-to-public transport ratio remains abysmal. There is no proper preparation in place to divert people from using private vehicles to public transport.
Thirdly, people who are using cars will most likely now go to offices on alternate days using autos. We are all aware of the level of corruption as most auto drivers refuse to use the electronic fare meter in Delhi. What is going to happen is that there will be an increase in the number of auto commuters with no or marginal increase in the number of autos. Be prepared to be exploited by auto drivers who will charge as they feel like. With inefficient policing, auto-walas will continue to exploit commuters.
The spiral effect doesn't end here. People who are rich and in a condition to afford another car will be on a lookout for a preferred odd or even number. The Road Transport Office (RTO), infamous for corruption, is bound to increase rates for granting favours with people paying bigger bribes for fetching favourable numbers.
But most of us would agree that something needs to be done to tackle problems like air pollution, noise pollution and road indiscipline. Population is our biggest strength as also our biggest liability. But it can be utilised as an asset when it comes to road policing. There is a dire need for recruitment of more traffic policemen. Presently whenever there is a jam in a locality, we see individuals who are not traffic policemen coming forward and make way for the vehicles to move. We need more traffic policemen at any cost and considering the level of unemployment, it shouldn't be difficult to hire youngsters for such jobs.
The heavy presence of traffic police is a must for enforcing road discipline. Vehicles that skip traffic signals, honk incessantly and overtake from the wrong side need to face the music. Heavy fines need to be slapped on them. We face a lot of inconvenience on the road because we ourselves don't follow rules. Once we are forced to act as a responsible citizenry on the road we will face lesser obstacles on it. Jams are often a result of someone skipping the traffic signal irresponsibly and then all hell breaks loose. Road discipline is bound to ease congestion and help in swifter movement of vehicles.
A recent report published by The Hindu citing the national census (India walks to work: Census) stated that 26 per cent people in the national capital territory of Delhi walk to work. Eleven per cent cycle to work, 26 per cent use buses, three per cent trains and another three per cent tempos, autos and taxis. Seventeen per cent of the people use two-wheeler private vehicles and 13 per cent go to office in their four-wheelers. The data is representative of inequality. At present, 70 per cent of the people are not going to their offices in private vehicles. Only 30 per cent are.
If we are able to truly bridge the economic divide and work towards wealth distribution and income equality then surely the number of private vehicles would go up. People who do not have a private vehicle today also have the right to lead a life of comfort and own private two- and four-wheeler vehicles. Everyone, in fact, has the right to food, education, employment, housing, health and comfortable commutation. The end of inequality would mean ending the monopoly of luxurious items and services in the hands of the rich.
Thus, if we as a society are to succeed in eliminating inequality, the number of private vehicles in the times to come will have to go up in order to democratise ownership. But, at the same time, the frequency and condition of public transport has to be improved. If you want people to give up cars and travel in buses and metros then you need to make them as comfortable and convenient. You also need to take away the status symbol associated with driving a car which will only depart when cars happen to be a household phenomenon which is possible only when there is income equality.
That means there will have to be a parallel increase in the number of private vehicles, buses and metros. Those suggesting that buying cars should be made tougher to reduce air pollution are probably not realising the economic injustice they might be promoting. In my opinion the solution to air pollution is investment in alternate fuels with cleaner emissions. That appears to be an economically just and feasible way forward. Cleaner fuels for all modes of transport is the only way out for taming vehicular emissions which form a minor but significant part of air pollution. While we can't prevent people from buying cars and two-wheelers since it wouldn't be an economically just thing to do and would seriously hamper the growth of the automobile industry, we can certainly preach against the ill-effects of overpopulation.
Implementing something like a "One Family, One Child" policy might run contrary to the right to procreate but with our preaching against overpopulation we can certainly expect the people to become more population conscious. Immediate administrative actions are necessary but policy formulation has got to have a long-term vision. Massive recruitment of traffic policemen, investment in cleaner, alternate fuels, improvement in the condition and frequency of public transport and public consciousness against overpopulation are the weapons which will help us in fighting our woes on the road.