The Hindu Business Line : Help public transport

This refers to ‘Tax the car, fund public transport’ (Business Line, October 16). In India, owning a vehicle does not give much comfort due to various factors affecting day-to-day life. Commutation has become an inseparable part of life.

In this context, public transport brings relief to the vast majority of people.

But the daily commuters face immense problems on account of various factors affecting the transport system.

The concept that those who own vehicles may not opt for public transport is far away from the truth.

Shying away from the car theory has come to an end with the opening up of the economy and the marketing environment turning buyer-friendly. The fact that there are only two vehicle owners for every 1,000 Indians, does not warrant further taxation of cars.

Any effort to tax the cars further would entail slowdown in the production and would tell upon the car industry as a whole.

But there is no denying that the public transport system requires infusion of life-saving remedies by way of subsidies.

A major part of the vehicle tax collected now should be earmarked for development of the public transport system.

When every other country encourages its citizens to own a vehicle, why should India adopt a reverse policy?

C. P. Velayudhan Nair Kochi

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