Oddly enough, it is claimed that Delhiites are happy with odd-even scheme. Yes, here is the complete list of people with the reason of their happiness:
- Car owners, who have multiple cars (with odd and even numbers) are not affected by this order. Rather, they will face less congestion, so HAPPY
- Two wheeler owners, who can now enjoy still better zigzagging on Delhi roads. HAPPY
- Lady drivers (the category not covered under odd-even) would feel more comfortable to drive on less crowded streets. HAPPY
- Auto rickshaw and cab drivers get business boost up and increase in income. HAPPY
- The low income group, who do not own cars, experience less congested roads for walking, cycling, road crossing… HAPPY
- CNG car owners face less congested roads, since there is no other difference as far as they are concerned. HAPPY
OK, now, who are left?
- Middle income group / Senior citizens / people who are basically field workers like sales people or cash collection agents – the people, who are not covered in any of the above-mentioned categories and they own only one petrol / diesel car.
On
the hindsight EVEN IF the pollution levels come down during the experimental
fortnight, there is a need to see whether it is significant, whether there are other
more polluting factors that need to be tackled and whether the gains (if any
and whatever) can be sustained over a period of time. Yes, such an exercise will throw up challenges
and need to make big efforts. Surely, too tall an order as compared to cheap
gimmicks to gain quick popularity and electoral gains.
And
who said that this fortnightly exercise should be carried out every month? Isn’t it ridiculous? How can one justify half
good and half bad month… month after month? But, yes, the focus is very clear –
to repeat – “quick popularity and electoral gains.”
