C-DRIVE

If you are in a place like Bangalore or any other metro in the country, the chances are that you are complaining about the heavy traffic and the uncontrollable pollution. The city is growing at a far greater pace than the infrastructure can cope up with, population inflow is greater than ever imagined, every "wide" road has been narrowed by the enormous traffic. Growth is something we must be proud of and continue to achieve and one would be a fool to blame the unprecedented growth for our problems not realizing that it is in fact our "unwillingness" to do something about our problems, that is to be blamed. It is very irresponsible and shameful on our part to be pointing figures at others including the government and not actually trying to do something about the problem ourselves. It is perhaps easier to drive out a car all alone and curse the government while stuck in traffic jam than to feel responsible for our own misdeeds. A part of the blame has to be shared by the poor planners of the city who thought of and have put big IT companies right in the heart of the city and have allowed huge shopping malls with little or no parking space to setup right in the places that were already crowded. I however find it hard to imagine the government to solve all the problems of congestion, traffic, pollution etc completely even if it wished to. Flyovers can’t be made all over the place at the pace that is required to de-congest, new roads can’t be created easily with so much land acquiring that needs to be done for the purpose, and huge work places cannot be shifted over night to the out skirts of the city. However in the recent past, private-public ventures have been paying off, for example the elevated expressway on hossur road that is actually being constructed at high speed should ease out the situation to an extent. It is now imperative that we find newer ways of solving these problems. We need to start thinking of Private-Public-Jantha partnerships. Now, allow me to address one of the many problems at hand: traffic and pollution. It is understandable to have passed out from the top B-schools or Engineering colleges and while earning a handsome salary, being unable to NOT buy a luxury car or treat yourself with comfort; after all you have worked hard for it. If Campaigning against buying/selling of vehicles is the obvious revolutionary idea you thought i would suggest, let me surprise you: Traveling the way we do is almost indispensable, at least while the zero emission vehicles are still in the labs, which may take years to hit the road and become easily available and popularly accepted. I, am about to suggest solutions at a micro level, which are small on individual effort and cost but cumulatively can make a huge contribution. I work for a leading IT company in Bangalore and I too am a victim of the much talked about traffic and pollution. Somehow when we refer to “traffic” we tend to believe that we are talking about “them” and not “us” failing to see the fact that you are never stuck in a traffic jam, you are the traffic jam. If we are unable to reduce the production and purchase of smoke emitting vehicles, how about reducing the usage to a degree suitable to our convenience and drawing a fine balance between our environmental responsibilities and personal luxury. For example, I use a bicycle at least three days a week if not four and also to cover shorter distances. I do not use my bike or car and instead use my bicycle when I am not in a hurry to reach office or anywhere else for that matter, this way I save on expensive fuel, contribute towards a cleaner environment, and also can snake my way out of the traffic jams and It also helps me keep fit. There is also a relatively less significant advantage: when you can afford a luxury car but are spotted riding a bicycle, it’s seen as a style statement. A bicycle costs between Rs 1000 and 5000, which in my opinion is an outstanding deal considering the numerous benefits to self and the environment. Using a bicycle for 3-4 days a week is as good as reducing the number of vehicles on road by half which otherwise is impossible, this in turn means reduction of fuel consumption by half and also reduction of pollution due to vehicular emissions by half. For many of us, it is almost impossible to pull out an hour or two to work-out at the gym/home, but if we could convert our travel time into exercise time we shall achieve a twin advantage. Cycling is considered one of the most effective and healthy exercises. Having laid out the benefits and the need for the above-mentioned micro level solution and other such solutions that you yourself could come out with, I now urge you to “ACT”. Go to that store and bring the beautiful bicycle home, ride her and feel the air through your hair and see the road slip by fast underneath by the sheer strength of the muscle in your thigh, breathe the fresher air and keep it fresh for posterity. Watch your tummy lose substance by the day as you cycle your way into a healthier and a stronger individual and above all a socially responsible individual. Come along and join the C-Drive- a drive towards a cleaner and greener environment. If my little write-up here still hasn’t motivated you enough to act, please watch the academy award winning movie called “an inconvenient truth” by Al gore (former Vice president of USA) and you will be moved.