Fuel emission cuts...is it really possible in India?

Image via WikipediaReducing fuel emissions in India is turning out to be more difficult than previously assumed, by not just the government but the entire administration! I'm specifically talking of Kolkata here which has experienced a drastic reduction in air pollution today, thanks to the ban of vehicles more than 15 years old plying in the city, as claimed by some of the leading newspapers.

Troubling also is the fact that various political parties right from the ruling leftists to the opposition have expressed their support towards the cause of the affected auto and bus drivers. There is of course valid reasons in them lending their support. They are fighting for the working class (now you might call this genuine concern or mere vote bank politics). Maybe the government should have been more proactive in implementing the ban of vehicles more than 15 years old months ago, but instead it chose to play the waiting game, something which I'm quite sure its regretting right now. Of course trying to implement the ban now, its facing stiff protests all over.

The fact remains, no matter what promises the government makes to the international community with respect to emission cuts, its not gonna hold true unless some serious grass root level remedial mechanism is set in place. At the moment a deep rooted grudge developing within all factions of the working class against the government. The public is angry about the absence of public transport on the roads, and the bus, taxi and auto drivers are obviously angry about losing their livelihood.

Even Delhi's LPG transformation wasnt without protests. However it was tactfully handled and now Delhi's a cleaner and greener city than Kolkata. I sincerely hope an amicable solution is worked out between the government and the fuming unions. No one's gaining from this irritating deadlock.