What could be the best way to solve Delhi's ever-rising pollution problem? Public transport is the answer. Not our words, but this is what the students of Delhi University said in an AISA survey. Following this, the student political organisation is conducting a rally in the university campus, demanding more public buses from the University and metro passes for university students.
The survey was taken by more than 20,000 students. "Almost everyone was of the opinion that the government must take appropriate action to increase the frequency of buses and promote the use of public transport. They also wanted the government to introduce metro passes," says Amarjeet Kumar Singh, an AISA activist. "We will not exactly be protesting, but rather conducting a peaceful rally," he adds.
A few years back, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government had introduced an odd-even policy to curb traffic and reduce pollution levels in Delhi. But looks like not many survey respondents were happy with it. "That policy is nothing but inconvenient. How do you go out conveniently? What if your vehicle's number is odd and it's an even day? We need feasible solutions," says Amarjeet.
The survey was conducted as part of AISA's campaign Environment Matters: DU Against Pollution. According to a WHO survey of 1600 cities in the world, Delhi's is air quality is the worst. Air Pollution is also the fifth largest killer in India.
