High time to encourage e-vehicle operators
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 21, 2022 -

IF at all the government of Manipur intends to keep the air, noise and environmental pollution level under manageable level, the few options left are to ensure effective ban on use of single use plastic items, gradual replacement of passenger vehicles that emit particulates and extensive plantation of trees.

Though prohibition on sale of single use plastics is slated to come into effect from July, it remains to be seen how the government authorities would find alternative to plastic carry bags and disposable items widely used for various purposes.

Similarly, there is no guarantee that all the tree saplings planted to mark the World Environment Day would attain maturity and aid in preventing natural disasters like landslide or contribute towards mitigating the global warming phenomena.

However, in case of minimising air and noise pollution, at-least within the city limits, it could be safely predicted that bringing down the number of vehicles operated on fossil fuels and replacing them with electric vehicles would definitely yield the desired result.

That air pollution level has crossed the permissible limit was already confirmed during random surveys conducted in 2018 around the capital city by the Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB).

The findings concluded that emission from commercial diesel-fuelled vehicles in Imphal city had exceeded permissible limit followed by the MPCB announcing that steps would be initiated to phase out operation of diesel auto-rickshaws.

However, authorities concerned are yet to put in place an effective mechanism to control air and noise pollution other than repetitively reminding the public about gravity of the situation after every survey.

For the record, the then MPCB chairman and MLA L Radhakishore officially declared that Keishampat was the most unliveable zone in the state capital.

Even after losing the electoral battle, Radhakishore remains in charge of MPCB but there is no sign of the board doing the needful to minimise the threat posed to human by air pollution.

Studies say that the internal combustion of engine is the principal cause of air pollution, with emissions consisting of small particulates, oxides of nitrogen (especially NO2), volatile organic chemicals, and ozone.

These pollutants have been classified as major risk factors for the development of human diseases, especially cardiovascular disorders such as heart attacks, arrhythmias, and stroke and respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and cancer.

With MPCB seemingly hapless in curbing air pollution, it is only due to some entrepreneurs' initiative that battery-operated passenger carriers started to hit the streets.

Even if launch of the e-vehicles is business-oriented, one cannot undermine the fact that operation of more e-vehicles will help curb the pollution level.

As such, it is heartening to learn that the state government has assured of extending help to battery-operated transport service providers.

Amid the growing concerns over the rising level of pollution in and around the state's capital, chief minister N Biren Singh flagged off a road show organised by E-Rickshaw Workers' Union Manipur, from Kangla, Western Gate on Sunday with the stated objective of freeing Imphal City from hazardous emission, particulate matters and all forms of pollutants and mitigating impact of climate change and global warming.

In his brief speech during the flag-off function, CM Biren acknowledged increasing number of citizens opting for e-vehicles and announced that in support of the use of pollution free vehicles, the government is trying to set up charging points at different places across the state.

Taking into account of the fact that operation of e-vehicles in the state is still negligible at this juncture, setting up of charging points or stations wouldn't be an uphill task.

As such, to encourage e-vehicle passenger service providers and individuals it is suggested that the government follow the user-friendly battery-swap policy already adopted in some countries.

Moreover, ensuring pothole-free city roads is equally imperative to enable the e-vehicles operate smoothly and at faster pace.