The Supreme Court order to ban new diesel cars for temporary period has raised a wider debate across various spectra.
Alarming level of pollution has triggered government and the top court to take extreme steps so it could put the situation under control. At the same time this order is not going well with the auto-companies, dealers as well as commuters too. It will be a huge revenue loss for auto dealers who sell diesel vehicles.
Some experts also point out that this measure won’t make any significant change or lessen the drastic level of pollution. So the moot question is, is this measure taken by the honorable supreme court really going to help out to reduce pollution or it just a hype? Let’s look at the rational side and find out the answer.
Yes of course, this is a welcoming measure and it will help out to curb pollution.
1. It is cheaper-We all know that diesel cars are cheaper than petrol cars so more people find it economical. Even amateur riders too prefer to buy these cheap vehicles which ultimately increases the number of vehicles on the road and add to increase pollution.
Banning diesel cars would be a good solution to decrease the number of vehicles on the road.
2-Contribue greatly to pollution-The air quality index reports that it has crossed the many more times of danger level in Delhi. Diesel engines contribute greatly to the pollution level in Delhi, making it almost like a gas chamber.
Diesel vehicle exhausts produce more nitrogen oxides which cause cancerous diseases in humans. So better ban it to reduce its uses.
3- Need to follow examples-Of course many cities across the world like London has already banned the diesel vehicles on the road to reduce the pollution.
We need to also follow the same example, so we can make our city a livable place.
4. Only intended to long distance transport-Diesel engines were never meant for private cars. It was solely developed for long-distance transport of heavy goods.
So better we should put the restrain of its use so diesel engines could serve its original purposes like industrial development and public transportation.
So, is banning the right solution? Hell, Nope!!! If we look at the other side of the coin, then we realize that this banning won’t solve the real purpose and it’s just a hype.
1-It will incur heavy losses–Of course, this sudden ban will incur heavy losses to the dealers. It will also adversely affect those customers who have already booked these vehicles. Many among them have also made full or partial payments.
So what’s the point to make a hasty decision without consulting all stakeholders? It will just result in huge revenue loss which won’t be beneficial for anyone.
2-Middle class will suffer a lot– The provision of this ban, says that it will ban the renewal of registration of diesel vehicles in Delhi which are more than 10 years old.
Technically, if we look at the demographics who use older vehicles then we realize that mostly they are middle class or lower middle class people because they can’t afford new vehicles. So how government will solve it? Honestly, it will be just like snatching away their happiness.
3. Hard to tackle cars from other states– If we look at the road of Delhi we will find out countless cars roaming across its road which have the registration number of Utter Prades, Haryana, Rajsthan.
So what’s the point to apply this rule, if still there will be a large number of diesel vehicle which will roam across the road of Delhi. How can you prevent them entering into the city?
4-Already eco-friendly vehicle– If we look at the statics, then we get to know that companies have already invested hugely in making diesel engines, eco-friendly and they no longer are emitting harmful gases like older vehicles.
Also, according to some report if this ban is applied it would only address 2.5% of the pollution problem in Delhi but it will incur heavy revenue loss which will be in thousands of crores.
5-It will affect investment–Already shares of large automakers have fallen sharply down which created anxiety.
Some experts are also voicing that this decision would worsen the country’s reputation across the globe and it will affect foreign investment.
So rather passing a hasty judgment, government should consult all stakeholders and find out a long term solution for this permanent problem. The alarming level of pollution need our immediate attention but we need to think rational so it could yield a long term result.