Question:

Increasing the price of petrol is the best way to solve the growing traffic & pollution problems.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What other measures do you think might be effective?

Answer:

In many cities, traffic congestion has risen up to a very high level that eventually lead to increase of pollution. Many
people consider that raising the petrol cost will solve the problem. I completely disagree with the thought and I
believe that various other measures would be more constructive approach.

Some of the government official’s opinion is that the significant upsurge in petrol prices would bring down the total
consumption. However, results of similar actions taken in past prove otherwise. Since most of the commuters use
their own vehicle as a necessity to travel to work, a price hike would mean an increase in use of substitute fuels like
diesel. To illustrate, a price hike in petrol will result in increase of transportation charges and gradually there will be a
price hike in other commodities too, which will result in inflation in market and affect the standard of living of low-
income group.

Innumerable foresighted controls and actions should be taken to be able to reduce traffic as well as restrict pollution
levels. Firstly, the government should commit that they will bear the increase in cost of public transportation due to
hike in price of petrol. Secondly, government should make more effort to promote alternative sources of energy like
solar, wind and wave. Energy from wind, sea, and the sun does not pollute the environment and is an everlasting
energy source of power. Finally, the use of technology should be established to keep a check on PUC levels. For
instance, mandatory yearly renewal of license plates will keep an update on the PUC levels. Furthermore, the
government should promote electric vehicles and establish charging points across the country.

In conclusion, petrol price hike is definitely an interesting strategy to decelerate the consumption in short-term, but
a selective operational measures and actions taken collectively would manifest to be efficacious in remote future.