Old taxi owners in Kolkata should be compensated for buying new auto

Kolkata has finally been forced to take the commercial vehicles older than 15 years. It is a welcome step for a city that has almost 70% population suffering from some sort of respiratory disorder (Indian cancer institute, 2007). This number could be over 10 million. After the ban in the city some estimate shows that pollution level has gone by 50% in some of the most polluted crossing in the city.

Behind all this there is a big issue of the livelihood of 3000 bus drivers and the 6500 taxi drivers. Their jobs are at the stake for none of their fault. No doubt, the pollution level should go down but these people should have been given notice well in advance of couple of year to make smooth transition to greener option such as CNG. A large number of taxi owners might still not be able to or willing to change their old vehicle because they do not see any real benefit for themselves. When they are struggling for their day-to-day life, they have no benefits and can die any day in any road accident why they should care about the respiratory disease for themselves or other fellow citizens of the country?

The people who are in the public administration need to understand this issue and try to provide some kind of compensation to the vehicle owners who choose to buy new greener vehicles. A few thousands of rupees in tax benefits might cost a thousands of crore to the Exchequer but it should be seen as a long term investment in the human resource of the country. As a direct consequence, when more fuel efficient vehicles will be used then the cost of the oil and gas import should go down. Tangible benefits will be in reduction of the cost of medicine in the country.

No one has taken this issue so seriously and when, if, the political parties jumps in this debate then they will make this uglier than solving the problem through some sort of concession. And overall, it is the poor drivers and owners who will suffer this mismanagement of public grievances.