New Delhi: A staggering 40% of the severe air pollution choking Delhi comes from vehicles powered by conventional fuels, according to Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The minister didn’t mince words, placing blame on the transport sector and emphasizing the urgent need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Delhi’s Smog: A Health Crisis and Economic Drain
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The nation’s capital is grappling with hazardous air quality, prompting a critical look at transportation’s role and the economic burden of fuel imports.
- India currently spends approximately Rs 22 lakh crore annually on importing fossil fuels.
- Minister Gadkari experienced a sore throat after just two days in Delhi, personally feeling the impact of the pollution.
- Alternative fuels like electric and hydrogen offer a pathway to drastically reduce vehicular pollution – potentially to less than one percent.
The situation in Delhi is dire. Gadkari, after a recent two-day stay in the city, reported developing a sore throat, a stark reminder of the health consequences. “Delhi is suffocating due to pollution,” he stated, adding that 40 percent of the problem originates within his own sector. He passionately argued for a shift towards alternatives to fossil fuels.
The High Cost of Dependence
India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a significant economic strain. Gadkari questioned the patriotism of continuing to spend Rs 22 lakh crore each year on imports, suggesting a focus on increasing exports instead. He urged a move towards “zero-emission electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles” as a matter of national priority.
The minister emphasized that Delhi’s pollution isn’t simply an environmental concern, but a full-blown health crisis impacting millions. Conventional fuel vehicles are the primary culprits, and while fossil fuels may be readily available, they are demonstrably the biggest polluters.
A Cleaner Future is Within Reach
The solution, according to Gadkari, lies in accelerating the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles. Electric and hydrogen fuel cell options, he asserted, produce minimal pollution – less than one percent compared to traditional combustion engines. This transition, he believes, is not just desirable, but essential for the health and well-being of Delhi’s residents and the nation as a whole.
What can be done to reduce pollution from vehicles? Prioritizing alternative fuel vehicles like electric and hydrogen fuel cells is the most effective way to significantly lower pollution levels, potentially reducing it to less than one percent.
