Civil Aviation Sector to get Boost at What Cost?

 

This has reference to the reported statement of Hon'ble Prime Minister, while inaugurating the new Terminal of Thiruvanathapuram International Airport, emphasizing the importance of the civil aviation sector to the Indian Economy. No doubt it is important for development of international trade, tourism etc for integration with Global Economy.

National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC)

In order to respond effectively to the challenges of Climate Change, the Government of India formulated National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC), under the guidance of Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Climate change. One of the guiding principles of NAPCC is for protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society, through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy, sensitive to Climate Change.

 

Aviation Sector- Climate Change- Rogue Sector 

The NAPCC does not talk of Aviation sector, even though it is reported to be a "Rogue Sector" and its environmental impact is out of control. The CO2 emissions from international aviation contributing to "Global Warming", is reported to have gone up considerably since 1990 and it is projected that emissions will be more than doubled by 2025. In terms of damage to the climate, Flying is 10 times worse than taking the Train. 

The domestic Air-traffic in the country is reported to have tripled during the last 7 years and the Prime Minister added that an exponential growth in air passenger traffic is expected in this decade. It is to be seen how many of them will be from the poor and vulnerable sections of society?

 

Transportation Sector

   

 As per NAPCC document, the Planning Commission estimates indicate an energy saving potential of 115 MTOE (million tones of oil equivalent) in the year 2031/32, by increasing the share of Railways and improving efficiencies of different modes of Transport. TERI estimates, indicate an energy saving of 144 MTOE in 2031, by including efficiency improvement across all modes, as well as considering enhanced use of Public Transport and Rail-based movement, as compared to business-as-usual trends. The corresponding CO2 emissions reduction is estimated at 433 million tones in 2031.

 

 It is also stated that the Policy and Technology measures, can lead to significant energy savings and thereby emission reductions, in the transportation Sector and some of the measures suggested are:

 

a)   Promoting attractiveness of Rail-based movement, relative to long-distance Road- based and short-distance Air-based movements

b)    Establishing mechanisms to promote investments in development of high-capacity (Rail-based) public transport systems (equity participation etc)

c)    Appropriate Transport Pricing, Taxes & Charges to influence travel demand, choice of Transportation mode and, the purchase & use of
     vehicles, in respect of fuel choice  & efficiency, thereby suppressing fuel demand and reducing GHG emissions.

 

Adverse Impact of Government Aviation Policy 

 The Climate Change is the most urgent challenge facing the humanity and the Aviation Policy of the Central & State Governments, is doing the opposite of what is required, by catering to insatiable demands of Aviation Sector, by way of more Airports, Runways, Terminals. etc. in the name of rapid economic development.

The subsidies and liberal concessions offered to Aviation Sector by taxpayers' money, disproportionately favours the economically better off, as those of lower incomes fly infrequently. This goes against the very guiding principle of NAPCC, for protecting the poor and vulnerable sections of society, through an inclusive and sustainable development strategy, sensitive to Climate Change.

 

Alternatives to Aviation

 It is of utmost importance and urgency to curtail emissions by restricting the capacity of aviation sector- short-haul routs in particular- without hampering the economic development.  Some of the suggestions for consideration are:

a)    Wider access to and the use of electronic communication devices such as interactive videoconferencing can be made more attractive to obviate expensive business air travel and restricting its use.

b)    The augmentation, expansion, modernization and improvement of the Railway Network, should get higher priority than Airports, which need thousands of acres of land and higher capital investments, that too catering for upper strata of the society. This obviates proliferation of CO2 intensive Short-Haul Air Routes.

c)    To opt for fast and attractive Inter-City Rail Transport, much more energy efficient than Road or Air transport, apart from being comparatively Cheaper & Safer.

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