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| Edited By: dna Correspondent |Source: DNA |Updated: Sep 09, 2012, 06:24 PM IST
In a bid to discourage the rapidly increasing use of polluting vehicles in Mumbai, a study on air pollution and related health hazards, conducted by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), has recommended that both car makers and commuters be made to pay heavy taxes and levies.
The idea is to create a dedicated fund, christened clean air fund (CAF), to help make public transport more efficient, apart from tackling medical complications due to pollution.
Pointing out that between 2006 and 2011, the share of diesel cars has grown compared with petrol ones, thanks to the subsidy on the former fuel, the study authored by Dr Rakesh Kumar, chief scientist and head, NEERI (Mumbai), recommended that all buyers of diesel vehicles for private use must pay the real cost so that the incentive (to buy such vehicle) goes. “The policy change is essential as the current pattern is likely to make all public transport companies sick and unviable. The option of levying congestion charges to generate funds can be looked into,” said the report. While environment activists and transport experts have welcomed the ideas, associations representing automobile owners’ interests are upset.
Having been part of several initiatives to promote non-motorised transport, environment activist Rishi Agarwal said, “It is time that they (motorists) realise that cars will destroy the city. We are sitting on a time bomb of cars that will affect all of us, including the car commuters themselves. If CAF can create a better public transport infrastructure, it is welcome.”
Transport analyst Ashok Datar of Mumbai Environmental Social Network welcomed the study. However, Western India Automobile Association chairman Nitin Dossa could not disagree more. “Today, half the price paid by car owners is actually an amalgamation of different taxes, of which nearly 20% is paid to the RTO. Also, many new cars are Bharat-4 standards and thus non-polluting. So, levying of more taxes and levies is not justified.”
