Curse:
- A 1 lac rupee car will only ensure more vehicles ply our roads. More cars - more pollution - more congestion? I end with a question mark for reasons mentioned below (see boon). certainly there will be a big need to get our parking policies in place (a good source of revenue for feeding in to better road safety)
- The car is said to be gearless (not sure if this is same as automatic transmission) - like kinetic honda - expect any one to start driving this car. Expect more accidents?
Boon:
- I read it will do 70 miles (112 km) per gallon = 30km per litre.
- It won't be a fast car - in a way it becomes safer due to lesser chance of speeding.
- It will be a 4 seater (driver included) - we could finally see the end of a rickshaw coming up. The rickshaw was an economic need, a modified water pump once use by farmers and has poor safety / pollution record.
- Would people ditch their 2 wheelers - I am not sure (those who drive 2 wheelers only to cheekily get past congested traffic may stick to it). Those who buy 2 wheelers due to cost factors may be happy to consider a 1 lac rupee car. Those who are not happy about two wheelers being safe may choose this car as well. On balance I am hoping there is decline of two wheel drives.
- At 30km per litre - with speed restrictions - this may be the best personal vehicle on the city roads with regards pollution.
- If (a big if) with time (4-5 years) 2 wheelers and 3 wheelers decline - traffic will be more uniform = possibly less chaotic and despite being bigger in volume may flow better - leading to reduced congestion. Also noise pollution may be lower.
- Anyone who has driven an automatic will agree its safer to drive it as you don't have to multi-task with clutch, gear, accelerator - better control could mean our roads are safer (especailly at reduced speeds).
- In places like Mumbai, I will prefer this 1 lac rupeee car as a taxi rather than those old rusted Fiat taxi's.
For a Cuase
The wake up call we need
Not automatic
Media Hype Around 1 Lakh Car
To early to call
www.driving-india.blogspot.com
Attack Policies, Not Nano