Agra doctor seeks car 'quota' in a bid to curb pollution and reduce traffic jams

By Gayanant Singh

The Supreme Court has sought the central government's response on a petition seeking restrictions on use of personal vehicles.



The court on Monday issued notice to the government on the PIL filed by an Agra-based doctor, Dr Sanjay Kulshrestra.



The petitioner has proposed restrictions on the ownership of four-wheelers for personal use, like in China and Singapore.









Posting the matter for consideration on March 12, a bench comprising Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice Dipak Misra said the petitioner had raised a serious issue in a well-researched petition.



Dr Kulshrestra has submitted in his petition that the increase in the number of motorised vehicles is not only causing traffic jams but is also a major health hazard.



The court (pictured) on Monday issued notice to the government on the PIL filed by an Agra-based doctor, Dr Sanjay Kulshrestra

He said only 2 per cent of the country's population travelled in four-wheelers but because of them, the remaining suffered.



India - with 1,18,239 and 1,26,896 deaths in 2008 and 2009 respectively - has the highest number of deaths in road accidents.



Reduction in speed of vehicles from 50 km per hour to 25 km per hour in Delhi increased emission of toxic fumes by about 100 per cent, Dr Kulshrestra said.



Studies had revealed that air pollution could cause birth defects, fetal growth retardation and premature delivery, he added.



Stressing on the need to act urgently, he said the government was not encouraging public transport system.



Other countries had realised that more roads and flyovers was no answer to traffic jams, he added.

