It seems now SC could allow plying of D-cars and cabs should the govt. and related agencies come up with specific phase out plans.True, the All India permit taxis are indeed suffering and some compromise formula that include gradual phasing out need to be worked out.But SC must not relent on its strict norms of regulation when it comes to dirty D- cars in general operating in high vehicle density roads in Delhi and NCR.SC must recognize that the powerful speeding diesel monsters which become real traffic menace are better kept off the congested Delhi/NCR traffic.Besides they turn thousands of people on the road into virtually passive smokers of unburnt carbon particles and poisonous chemicals.
(contd.)Diesel fuel is primarily used for heavy duty purposes for greater torque and power compared to lighter fuels like petrol or CNG etc. Also, D-exhaust spew besides GHG other the poisonous chemicals and ‘unburnt carbon’ particle(pm) due to incomplete combustion(even 2-stroke bikes have this problem) compared to those of the lighter fuels like petrol or CNG where the combustion is complete. These ‘pm’ prove deadly for human health and cause serious breathing problems etc. but have been sidestepped by the D-lobby in order to take advantage of lower diesel cost during the last 15 yrs. In Delhi and NCR with highest growing vehicle density on roads in the world it can’t be allowed to continue like this for ever. Given this background SC must order phasing out in the next 4-5 yrs of not just D-taxis but passenger cars too replacing them with lighter fuels, battery vehicles etc. in Delhi and NCR. They could ply in smaller towns where the vehicle density is low.
Why the sudden exuberance of foreign car makers for Indian market pushing exotic models? Petrol cars welcome but do we need the D-version especially for Delhi and NCR ? For rich and powerful to make merry using subsidized Diesel ? Even as environment conscious developed world in Europe and America are in the process of phasing out India is becoming easy prey for the D-variant given the thriving politician-Industry nexus of crony capitalism. SC has to virtually take the executive role to take responsibility for people to breathe clean air even as an indifferent govt. conveniently looks the other way! Otherwise how does one explain the current Delhi air pollution mess after 15 yrs of SC mandating phasing out of all D-taxis and conversion to cleaner CNG? In fact the air quality had improved in the next 5-6 yrs after the 1998 SC order until the govt-Industry nexus allowed proliferation of D-cars and taxis in gross violation of SC ruling. It was virtually the GREED taking over of the rich and powerful riding the subsidized Diesel drive that is responsible for the present foul Delhi air quality.Now that a renewed awareness campaign of ill effects of D-exhaust on health has caught up under SC’s active direction the D-lobbies have yet again resurfaced to subvert these efforts as they did in yr 2000 through disinformation campaign to further their own interest.
Why go for Honda BRV when its sister Mobilio is already failing the market tastes. I wonder with the same shape and same size, same engine power but few cosmetic difference, Mobilio and BRV will compete but of course with each other but certainly not with Ertiga or Duster. I saw this pack yesterday. Not impressed.
