While there are virtually no curbs on the construction industry in major cities, there are also nil restrictions on the exploding vehicle population. As per the Economic Survey 2021-22, Goa with a population of 16 lakh has 15.27 lakh registered vehicles ; on an average 57,000 new vehicles are brought on the roads every year. There is no cap on the number of cars / 2 whèelers that can be registered, this could prove very disastrous in Goa where parts of the state are already reeling under dust haze and smog brought about by construction activity and tail pipe emissions. China, Singapore and London have restrictions on the use of cars both as regards to plying and ownership. The city of London imposes a hefty 'congestion tax' in crowded business districts to disincentivize private vehicle use and nudge people towards public transport. Indian metros first need to have more AC buses with better frequency, a strong metro network connecting every nook and cranny in the city before citizens can be deterred from buying vehicles either through legislation or government diktat. We need to upgrade public infrastructure else the diseases triggered by the Frankenstein of vehicular pollution will devour us all bit by bit.
