WE HAVE BEEN ODD, LET’S BE EVEN NOW….

                               
         WE HAVE BEEN ODD, LET’S BE EVEN NOW….

                                                             ….FOR OUR OWN GOOD

National Green Tribunal pulls up the Delhi government for failing to reduce pollution and outcomes proposition that private vehicle will run on alternate days on odd-even arrangement starting on the first day of 2016.

The knee jerk reaction was among a slew of measures taken by the mortified government, comprising of proven novices on account of frequent U- turns.

The move has received a mixed reaction. To some, it is senseless, impractical and illegal.  We Indians surely know logic. 
Some argued feasibility, people having two cars would take one car one day and the other on next day and plan may fail if people buy more cars.

Some unabashedly refused compliance citing the in adequate quality and quantity of public transport.

Here are some of the comments-

‘I would do anything to avoid getting fleeced by auto and taxi drivers’

‘Every day we hear about incidents of chain snatching and other crimes. There is no option but to buy another car’

‘In case of emergency should we act or take care of odd- even numbers of our vehicles’

True, the move of ration road space is certain to inconvenience commuters but can anything deny that the present situation of demands drastic and immediate measure? Can we gain without pain?

A renowned author who is a self- acclaimed reformer and one who beats his own trumpet about changing the country, criticised the odd-even traffic rules.

He says, ‘At a time when we need economic growth and jobs, somebody decides to get half the vehicles off the roads and destroy productivity.’

The bragging author got his reply.

Many others reproved Delhi Government for thinking something to improve the city’s toxic air quality. All right, I agree the decision is tough, unfeasible, impractical, absurd and whatever. But do we have a better solution?

I’m not a great fan of Arvind Kejriwal and maintain that he preaches more than he practices. And to add that, the blunders he has made in his endeavour to establish a foothold in mainstream politics further spoils his image.

He has delivered less than he promised and his covenant of providing people clean governance proves mendacious by his own rapacious implementation more for self-fulfillment than for the ‘Aam Aadmi’.

I, a common man, feel beguiled and betrayed. However, without any predilection, he merits benefit of doubt on the ground of inexperience and despite of going bungling ever since he has worn that crown of thorns.

I admire him for this prompt and tough decision of curbing pollution that many cities in the world had experimented successfully with in the past.

All of us were not born rich and have gone through many years of life without having the luxury of private vehicles. If not so, then there are an uncountable number of less fortunate in our country who commutes by public vehicles and  counter exigencies. If they can, we can too.

There are arguments that people would buy a second vehicle with odd or even number. Okay, but for whom this proposition is being brought? It is for us and nothing can be implemented if we are not ready to cooperate. If we are prepared for the doom, let it be.

Another argument is what if a party stretches beyond midnight.

We can always plan accordingly if we are willing to make the city air clean. And, wouldn’t it be nice if the parties end timely?

I asked my students for their views on the rule. Most of them favoured it and mentioned numerous advantages of the rule. Most astonishing thing they said was, ‘We do not want to go to college or to work with an oxygen cylinder hanging on our backs.’

Let’s accept with all humility that we have zealously contributed to worsening the situation and now it is imperative for us to participate in remedial measures with equal fervency.

Nothing is possible if we are not willing. At least, accept it for a few days as the government has promised that it would be taken back if it causes inconvenience to public.

So let’s shut up and cooperate for our own good.