Atmospheric pollution-related deaths at the global level have grown by 300 per cent since 2000. While 65 per cent of the deaths occur in the Asian region, India, accounting for almost one-fifth of the aggregate total, seems to be the worst sufferer on this count. This startling revelation has been made at the workshop organised by the Centre for Science and Environment jointly with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the US-based Health Effects Institute, reflecting the widespread concern over global warming resulting from deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions from burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil. Environmental degradation caused by vehicular emissions adds to the havoc. With an increasingly higher number of vehicles plying on roads in India, as elsewhere, the situation is really grim and is sure to get out of control when, as per expert projections, the vehicle population in the country will double and automotive sales will touch 35-40 million units by 2020.
A greener mobility technology is the need of the hour. In keeping with the overall world trend, the joint effort by the Indian Government and the automotive industry to rely least on diesel and petrol as main fuel and instead switch over to alternate fuels such as natural gas for vehicles, LPG, CNG, biofuel, etc., having yielded poor results, there is evidently a distinct policy shift in favour of electric energy and hybrid technology. Though different powertrain technologies are available, the major thrust here is on hybrid vehicles having both an IC engine and an electric drive powered by battery. Under the scheme, the industry would initially be assembling vehicles with imported components. With adequate investments over a period, it could concentrate on higher indigenisation, and in a few years a greater degree of local manufacturing of battery, electric motor and power electronics could be developed.
The just-released CII-A.T. Kearney report on cost-effective green mobility has gone a step further and observed that it is possible to achieve the twin objectives of economic growth and reduced emissions with an integrated approach based on robust vehicle inspection and maintenance (I&M) regimes, development of better transport infrastructure and systematic recycling of vehicles. While an investment of Rs. 8,000-10,000 crores might be required to set up I&M centres across the country, effective I&M practices can improve fuel efficiency and eventually lead to an annual cost saving of Rs. 2,000-3,000 crores. Infrastructural improvements resulting from movement of goods and passenger traffic to greener modes and reduction in congestion on urban roads and highways can help reduce emissions by 30-38 million tonnes. At the same time, systematic recycling of vehicles can maximise recovery of scrap materials at the end of their useful lives. The three-pronged approach outlined and the other steps suggested by the joint study are worth a deep analysis if the Government is serious about containing emissions that damage the environment most.