Addressing visitors to the CSE exhibition on air pollution at the Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan, Delhi’s chief minister expressed optimism that the problem would be solved

 Among the glitzy cars and short skirts that are the usual attractions of the annual auto expo, the Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) exhibition on air pollution stood out as a grim reminder that there is a hidden price behind the expanding automobile sector. An indication comes from the statistic that every time the GDP in India doubles, air pollution rises by 8 times.

The CSE exhibition was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who contributed to a graffiti board, writing, “We shall overcome with your help”.   The chief minister said the government was not able to implement the Supreme Court’s order for CNG buses by March 2000, but claimed that it would definitely be implemented by the end of the year.

According to the CM, the delay was caused by lack of facilities to manufacture the CNG buses, and because the central Ministry of Surface Transport failed to meet its deadline in setting up 80 CNG stations in the city. Only 12 have been set up so far. But according to R Ramakrishnan from Ashok Leyland, their company already has the capacity to manufacture CNG buses. To increase production and meet the requirements of the government, Ramakrishnan says Leyland would need a large enough order to make it viable for them to manufacture the kits.

Answering a question from school children, who attended the inauguration as reporters for Gobar Times, the CSE magazine for children, Dikshit admitted that the government had not done enough to curb the growth of diesel. Diesel vehicles emit as much as 10 to 100 times more suspended particulate matter than petrol vehicles. Several large cities of the world, with a high concentration of vehicles, including Tokyo and California have taken steps to reduce the use of diesel vehicles. Separate studies carried out by the German Environment Ministry, the California Environment Protection Authority and a Swedish consultancy have confirmed that the harmful effects of diesel exceed those of petrol.

CSE asked the chief minister to consider a ‘smog alert’ system for Delhi, to warn citizens when pollution levels reach a harmful level. Additionally, luxury diesel cars have to be banned immediately, and tax systems to improve technology and fuel have to be introduced. The CSE exhibition will continue at stall number X705, opposite Hall No. 7 at the Auto Expo venue, from January 12 to 18, 2000. A ‘lung function test’ is being carried out on visitors to the exhibition, and a pollution poll is being conducted. A special edition of Gobar Times will be brought out by school children on Jaunary 17, along with a presentation on CSE’s Green Rating programme, which rates Indian industry according to environmental performance.

For more information contact Anumita Roychowdhury, Chadrachur or Lopamudra, at 6983394, or 6981110