Mumbai adapts to increasing car ownership
damien haas
I read a very interesting article on how Mumbai is coping with the
dramatic increase in private car ownership. It can be found here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126318396488324269.html
The author makes a few sensible points, and recommendations. I like
this one:
"More and more Mumbaikars are going to be able to afford cars in the
coming years and the city must start spending to be ready. Of course a
larger amount must be spent on public transportation systems to make
the trains and the buses here less crowded and more comfortable. For
ever rupee spent on improving roads, there should be three spent on
new train lines, buses and stations."
But this is the best:
"To ensure the spending on roads doesn't take away from spending on
infrastructure for the vast majority of Indians that never use cars. I
suggest everyone be forced to buy two special options when they buy a
new car: a piece of road and a parking spot."
No doubt, people will argue that their registration fees are part of
this already.
regards
Damien Haas
Chair,
ACT Light Rail