Petrol and diesel prices continue to soar and it may touch Rs. 100 any
moment and people terribly feel the pinch. “It is a big burden on the
middle-class Indians and many of them are scrambling and cutting household
expenses to adjust with the rising fuel prices," survey said, Economic
Times reports. The rise in fuel prices triggered wider criticism of the
government for not cutting excise duty on the heavily taxed petrol and diesel.
Protests against hike in petrol and diesel prices
paralysed many parts of our country. The common man is astounded to note that
the Parliament has delegated the power of taxation, to levy and collect, and to
enhance the price of petroleum products like petrol, diesel, LPG, CNG and other
products, unscrupulously.
It is significant to note that the Government
of India is spending about 160 million US dollars every year for import of
crude oil and that comes to about fifty per cent of the total revenue collected
from the public, subject to correction. This is an alarming situation and a
major reason for the devaluation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar. Is
the Planning Commission or the Parliament of India really concerned about it?
We should try to explore for further oil resources at Mumbai, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, Assam, Chennai, Cochin and other places, if any, to achieve our annual
requirement of the traditional petroleum products or oil. Or else we should go forward for an
innovation in our technology; like trying to substitute our varied engines with
other fuel such as LPG or CNG. I am
confident that our scientists, engineers and technologists are capable of
inventing a better and economic transport system.
Is there any stumbling block for fuel change?
Let the people of India know who are all the MPs and other politicians lobbying
for vehicle manufacturers, and against the change of fuel and modernization of
technology. I am aware that the Indian scientists have already invented a less
expensive and economic mode of manufacturing Heavy Water formally called Deuterium oxide or D.O,
successfully from sea water, which is available in plenty. We are exporting it
to Korea and U.S.A. Tritium oxide (Tao2,) is another effective and
efficient alternative fuel to moderate neutron fission in atomic thermal
reactors. It is high time that we changed the fuel for our transport vehicles.
It is significant to note that those who lobby against change of fuel are
working against our national interest.
It is significant to note that an
enterprising Malayali Engineer, M.D.
Jose, the managing director of Eddy Automobiles (India) Limited at Chalakudy in
Kerala, invested huge sum of money for research and development of various
vehicles including a car with solar panels, the cost of which was worked at
35,000 rupees in 1990s; he applied for license to manufacture the car but in
vain. The political bosses wanted a major share in the profits, and the callous
indifference on the part of the government jeopardized his endeavour and he
slumped into financial difficulties. Such apathy and corruption should change
for the better.
Simultaneously we should find alternative
modes of transport. I would suggest that in states like Kerala where there are
forty-four rivers and large and deep lakes inland water transport may be given
more importance. The greater expense involved in the building and up keep of
highways could be avoided. The inland-water-ways, no doubt, is an inexpensive
and economic mode of transport. Great quantities of bulky freight like Sulphur,
Coal, petroleum products and other cargoes could be moved at great saving of
time and expense. Ocean ferries by ships also could be introduced for long
travels especially from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod and further north to
Bombay, and also on the eastern coast. Moreover the air tariffs may be reduced
to the minimum possible so that commoners too could afford to travel by air. I
appreciate the endeavour of the government of Kerala to commence low cost sea
plane services in Kerala.
The invention of wheel was an epoch making
event which helped in the progress of transport and civilization. Now the
scientists are obsessed with the wheels and they can’t think of a vehicle
without wheels and without roads or rails or sprawling airports. I would
suggest that young scientists around the world should put their heads together
to explore and to discover an innovative, economic transport vehicle totally
devoid of wheels and a better mode of Public Transport System as swift as
thought that would destroy natural frontiers. They should be encouraged by
United Nations and the member Nations and sanction funds liberally for that
cause and recognize their efforts. This would safeguard our environment from
further pollution and damage. Imagination is the key to development and progress.
I always wonder, whether Solar energy like light, electric powered–batteries,
magnetic power, wind energy, Alcohol like Methanol, Ethanol, and Vegetable oil,
Hydrogen, low-lying clouds or such other small things could be used for such
transport?
Excerpts from
NEED OF THE HOUR
By
Joseph
J. Thayamkeril,
Lawyer,
Cochin
josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril.google.com
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