Would it make sense for Praja to spearhead a proposal to fix the country's fiscal and current account deficit problems by moving to less fuel-intensive modes of transportation country-wide ? Taken to the central govt., RBI, economic think tanks, etc.
The plan - broad framework
The Problem
Subsidy on Diesel increases the fiscal deficit, increases inflation, causes price rise.
Import of petroleum increases the current account deficit, devaluation of the rupee, depletion of foreign exchange reserves.
The Solution
Reduce consumption of petroleum by these measures that will reduce fuel consumption and hence petroleum import.
1. In cities, replace private automobiles with promote public and non-motorized transport
Improve intra-city and inter-city bus services.
Promote non-motorized transport - improve facilities for cyclists, pedestrians.
Dissuade private transport - increase taxes on 2-wheelers, cars, increase parking fees, reduce parking space, increase road taxes, etc.
2. Replace air transport by high speed train services
Improve passenger train services - speed and number of trains, comfort. Replace air travel by high speed trains between cities upto 600 km. distance.
3. Replace road and air freight by rail, sea freight
Improve rail freight services - speed, number.
Improve shipping between domestic cities.
The format for distribution
1. An easily-understandable PPT, max 20 slides.
2. A document with the details - calculation, logic, etc.
Praja has people who have the expertise in these areas. If a group of us gets together we can make a good proposal that will make people sit up and think.
Anyone interested ?
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Comments
Every second vehicle in a household must be taxed more
I understand in many countries, one is not allowed to have a second car without providing proof of having disposed off the first car. This is a better way of containing number of vehicles on city streets and also reduce fuel consumption by way of one household - one car.
Most neo-rich people in urban agglomerations possess more than two vehicles in various permutations. Even to buy two rupees worth of corriander leaves, they use their vehicles. No doubt it is their prerogative but the day is not far off - by the year 2023, we will be paying nearly Rs.800 per litre of petrol and more than Rs.450 per litre of diesel. Then we will reliase the importance of finite fossil fuels.
Youngsters must be persuaded to use bicycles or walk short distances.
Hop-On-Hop-Off - Save Fuel, avoid stress, travel safe
Dear Prajas, my two paise novel idea to save fuel is given below:
HOP ON HOP OFF – (HOHO) - Save Fuel and save foreign exchange, Travel safe and save lives, Reduce Carbon Emission & Global Warming, Reduce Accidents and also Stress During Driving,
Short/Medium range urban areas that need fast movement of commuters and/or having tourism potential – Delhi-Agra, Delhi-Jaipur, Bengaluru-Mysore, Chennai-Bengaluru and other places to be identified where fast moving trains like HSDs or Duranto Express operate.
I counted 300 cars (only) whizzing past my survey post in 5 minutes near Mandya on Bengaluru-Mysore Highway on a Saturday morning.
I observed that small families with less than five occupants in all segments of cars. On an average, petrol cars used up 20 litres for traversing to and fro about 300 kms and additional about 50 kms for inter-city travel at the destination point.
The following Idea is for saving fuel being used by these cars:.
Present Problems/Limitations/Drawbacks:
1. Prediction by Scientists – there is an alarming over-exploitation of fossil fuels in the world and in about 50 years, with business as usual, crude oil availability will diminish and there may be rationing of fuels like petroleum, LPG, diesel and Kerosene.
2. Transport sector has been identified as the maximum emitter of Carbon Dioxide (40%) and other green house gases that are causing climate change and global warming with consequent impacts on various issues in the world.
3. There is boom in economy in India and urbanites are using easy finance from institutions to possess more than one vehicle in a household. They are using own vehicles to reach their destinations. They are utilising subsidized fuels even for traveling single.
5. Mass public transport system is having its own i3 problems - insufficient, inefficient and inconvenient in this fast moving world.
What is new and how this novel idea works?
a. Motto: ‘innovate from where you are and innovate with what you have’.
b. Proposed innovation is to utilise the existing infrastructure of Railways to move faster, safer, without stress, save precious oil, save outgo of foreign exchange for purchase of crude oil, help the nation to manage its economy and for the people, to live longer.
c. Help Railways to get traffic and utilise their rolling stock to the optimum level on HSD links.
d. Reduce carbon emission from transport vehicles
e. Use your vehicle to reach railway yard, park on the train, sit in the car, do your work or listen to music or enjoy the nature and open scenery, play with your kids
f. After arrival, no need to search for transport, drive down in your car, keep moving in the comfort of your own vehicle to reach your destination.
g. After your work is over in the visiting place, use HOHO, hop on to the train in your car and get back in the same manner.
h. It is an alround win-win situation.
Perceived Benefits
(viii) This innovative mobility based novel idea is doable, sustainable, profitable, economical and provides safe mode of transport for all sections of the society in India.
Car Rentals would work better
In India, self drive car rentals is yet to take off. But if takes off, that would be more beneficial. Instead of wasting space and paying hefty for carrying the car.
Self-driven or Rented - both cars use up scarce fuel but...
@ Vasanth
A car piggy-back riding on a flat bed Railway wagon is bound to save considerable fuel. India has the wherewithals of such RORO facility - have a look at the Konkan Railway video at -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN61kpqlPxI
After viewing the video, imagine your car in place of the truck. it will be an experience.