Road Users Suffering the Most in Delhi

A CSE study found that pedestrians and people riding public transport and auto-rickshaws are exposed to dangerously high air pollution levels—which are much higher than those recorded by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee's stationary monitoring stations at the same locations. The aim of the study is to drive home the point that air pollution in Delhi is alarming and should not be overlooked by the new government, said CSE researchers. Read more @ Times of India

"Delhi government should increase cess on diesel cars. Brazil and Beijing do not allow diesel cars. Sri Lanka has imposed very high taxes on import of diesel cars. France has decided to phase out diesel cars completely. Why can't Delhi discourage diesel cars?" Narain said. CSE researchers stressed that linking PUC compliance to issuance of car insurance can help enforce pollution under control norms. Narain also clarified her stand on certain contentious issues. Parking space for buses is a must, she said. "DDA has space for malls and amusement parks but not buses. I think the Millennium Bus Depot should stay. It is the least of the problems for the river," said Narain, adding that she even thought of recommending space in Rashtrapati Bhavan and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for bus depots.

A key solution CSE recommended is to treat NCR like a single 'air-shed' and formulate policies for the entire region as pollution from neighbouring towns is affecting Delhi. She opposed the new government's announcement of bidding for a coal block and setting up a thermal power station, saying gas power stations in Delhi should be supplied fuel first. "They should negotiate for reasonable gas rates and get the power stations running," she said.