[sustran] Re: Emissions from Trucks in New Delhi

[TR Saranathan]

Mr.Dinesh Mohan's observations are worth noting
regarding Delhi truck pollution. However, all these may not be necessary if 
the source is attacked. It is necessary to upgrade vehicle engines and 
provide clean fuel. Until then any haphazard solutions will be of no 
consequence. Social and economic overtones are involved. There should be a 
complee plan which can be followed immaculately in the next few years.
Dr.T.R.Saranathan

>From: Dinesh Mohan <dmohan at cbme.iitd.ernet.in>
>Reply-To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
>To: sustran-discuss at jca.ax.apc.org
>Subject: [sustran] Emissions from Trucks in New Delhi
>Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 10:59:36 +0530
>
>Eric's suspicions are well placed. Such decisions are based on an
>upper-class' concern with air not people. With mythologies, not facts
>and numbers. With internet shopping, not the hurly burly of trade and
>living.
>
>    * Decision based on the assertion that 65,000 trucks will be barred
>      from Delhi. On the first day of enforcement they could find less
>      than 3,000 trucks to stop!
>    * Decision based on the assertion that trucks coming from out of
>      Delhi are dirtier than those plying in Delhi. A study released by
>      CRRI yesterday claims the opposite! (Should be obvious - only those
>      trucks will be used for long distance travel whose engines are in
>      good condition. Dilapidated old trucks are good for local work.
>      Simple capitalism at work.)
>    * Trucks should not enter Delhi so that the decision makers have
>      cleaner air. They don't care if the trucks pollute poorer people
>      outside the legal boundaries of Delhi.
>    * All "clean air" decisions in Delhi target public transport and
>      taxis, make them more expensive and reduce their  availability. Not
>      a single decision targets car owners.
>
>In the name of freedom and sustainability neo-fascist ideologies have
>got more credibility after 9/11.
>
>Dinesh Mohan
>
>Eric Britton wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Chris Zegras kindly shares with us the news: “More than 65,000 trucks
> > and other goods vehicles will be barred from entering Delhi after the
> > Court order is enforced. “
> >
> >
> >
> > Hmm.  Is this really good news?  Am I the only one around here who is
> > a priori suspicious of deus ex machina solutions?  Or is this just one
> > more example of egregious sub-optimization (the grand specialty of
> > transportation policy all too often, I am afraid).
> >
> >
> >
> > Please someone explain to me what I am wrong (again).
> >
> >
> >
> > Eric Britton
> >
> >
> >
> > PS. Take a vacation and put your weight on what is without a doubt the
> > right side.  Pop into http://ngroups.com/stockholm and give your
> > counsel on the survey behind the Message to Johannesburg.  It will
> > take three minutes of your time, and we need you.  (And you just may
> > need us).  ;-)
> >
>
>
>--
>=======================================================================
>TRIPP website http://www.iitd.ac.in/tripp/
>
>READ THE DECLARATION ON PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO SAFETY
>http://www.iitd.ac.in/tripp/righttosafety/rightframe.html
>
>[IMORTANT: if this server gives you trouble in sending a mail to me,
>you can use <trippdelhi at hotmail.com> temporarily.]
>=======================================================================
>Dinesh Mohan
>Henry Ford Professor for Biomechanics and Transportation Safety
>Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Programme
>Room MS 808, Main Building
>Indian Institute of Technology
>Hauz Khas
>New Delhi 110016
>
>Phone:    (+91 11) 659 1147 & 659 6361
>FAX:      (+91 11) 685 8703 & 685 1169
>Home:   (+91 11) 649 4910
>Email:    dmohan at cbme.iitd.ernet.in
>=======================================================================
>




_________________________________________________________________
Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com