Hike in CNG prices, now...

What’s peculiar about this series? Petrol, Diesel, LPG, Toll tax and CNG. It has a very simple answer: all of them have given a bitter taste to Indian citizens in last 2 months by sharp hike in the prices. The common man is now covered by every nooks and corners as far as transportation is concerned. It will lead to inflation down the line.

Yesterday, Gujarat witnessed the price hike in CNG by two major suppliers GSPC and Adani by Rs 3.35 and Rs 2.50 per Kg respectively. Gujarat, which uses 40% of the total CNG produced in the country, accounts for the highest CNG consumption in the country. But it also has the highest VAT on this enviro-friendly fuel. 

Exhibit: CNG Prices in India (as on June 28, 2011)

City/Region	Supplier	Rs/Kg
Delhi	Indraprastha Gas Ltd.	29.80
Noida, Greater Noida & Ghaziabad	Indraprastha Gas Ltd.	33.40
Gujarat	GSPC Gas	40.25
Gujarat	Adani Gas	40.50

 Now, time has arrived that people clearly realize that fuels are finite and scarce resources. They must be consumed wisely and new better alternatives to be explored.

Hike in toll charges

The travel on Ahmedabad Vadodara Express Highway and on Vadodara Bharuch Highway will be much costlier because of sharp rise in toll rates, with effect from July 1, 2011. 

It’s more than 25% rise over last 13 months for Mahatma Gandhi Express Highway for car users. The toll rate was Rs 71 in Jun-2010, then hiked to Rs 81 in Jul-2010 and now it will be Rs 89 for 93 km road. Now, you need to pay Rs 42, Rs 56 and Rs 89 from Ahmedabad to reach Anand, Nadiad and Vadodara respectively, if you are a car owner. 

Similarly, the toll rate is hiked from Rs 65 to Rs 70 for 84 km distance between Vadodara and Bharuch for Car-Jeep-Van. 

The toll charges on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway (Yashwantrao Chavan Expressway) were increased by 18%, from Rs 140 to Rs 165 for cars. 

Now, citizens must need to devise proper mechanism to absorb such hikes, such as:

1.      More frequent usage of public transport

2.      Avoiding or reducing the frequency of using own vehicle

3.      Clubbing of travel or offering ride/seat to others

If you have any other suggestions or comments, do write to us at Care@OliveTrips.com

Suhani's mode of travel for school

Rama and Rishikesh are very happy, as their little angel Suhani would be stepping into the school.  They have been waiting for this moment. Both recalled their mesmerizing school days. For Suhani, Admission to school, School uniforms, Books, Stationeries, Attending the orientation meeting, everything have been done. Only one task left, deciding on mode of travel for little cute girl. The couple have few options: School bus, Auto rickshaw/Van or Personal vehicle. “All options have pros and cons” said Rama. Rishikesh said “Let me jot-down them and make a matrix for decision making”. 

Option	Cost	Quality Care	Time in travelling	Flexibility	Handling of bags
School Bus	High	Average	Very high	No	Average
Auto Rickshaw	High	Average	High	Little	Poor
Personal vehicle - 2 Wheeler	Moderate	Excellent	Less	High	Very good
Personal Vehicle - Car	High	Excellent	Less	High	Excellent

Rama is very sensitive about Suhani, so preferred to have quality transportation where proper care is taken. She prefers to have on personal vehicle as it does not waste time in waiting and go straight to school rather than moving in zig-zag flow to pickup other kids. “Moreover, the school bus and rickshaw even charge for saturday-sundays, holidays, and vacations. So we are paying 100% fare against requirement of around 60-70% only.” said Rama. Rishikesh got convinced with figures. But expressed he can do for one mode only, either dropping or pick-up. Then…….A big silence…………., as they were clueless how to proceed ahead.

The same dialogue and interaction were taking place between many parents. How nice it would be, if two-three like-minded parents can form a group. So, Suhani’s parent will drop Suhani and other two-three kids to school. While Suhani’s friend’s father will drop them to home. All fathers/mothers can do it turn by turn. Isn’t it a nice idea? It’s called carpool if car is used and bikepool, if 2-wheelers are used. It ensures personal care and makes friends. The most important is, the missing element in today's age is 'human-human interaction' would take place.

Internet and other media will help to find such members. Start searching.

Parking woes.....

It is common saying for maya nagari Mumbai that it is easy to find food for eating but difficult to find the shelter. Let extend the same to cars. One can own it easily but when it comes to parking; it is a nightmare. Because of growing economy, technical innovations and continuously improving financial situations of the citizens; now car is easily affordable than ever before. There is a change in mindset of common citizens also, resulting into paradigm shift from savings to spending. So, one can fulfill the life-dream of owning a car or cars.

The key question is where to be parked? Anyway, citizens are able to tackle the issue and make arrangement for parking at their residents. Now, where to park when you drive it to city or any other congested area. It may be attending an event or going to workplace or going for shopping. Many times, owner needs to walk a lot (may be a KM) from where the car is parked. More away you park it; you would feel unsafe about it. 

There could be various solutions to this burning issue. Few are an expensive. Few are very advanced and not feasible as of now. Travelling together or in a group is one of the solutions. This is very much feasible and it’s rewarding in terms of cost.

It reduces the vehicle’s presence at the destination. By doing carpool or vanpool, you are contributing a lot directly in addressing the issue of parking. Now, the vehicle would be parked more closely to you. You will feel relaxed. You need to be relaxed and happy to live longer, isn’t it?

Gigaton of ....

I was reading a newspaper of today. A news got my instant attention. International Energy Agency (IEA) has shared an alarming observation with us. In 2008, the Carbon dioxide production on our earth was 29.3 Gigaton. In 2010, it has increased to 30.6 Gigaton. It has increased by 4.4% in 2 years only. Very alarming sign for all of us !!

India has produced 1.5 Gigaton CO2 in 2010, while China has contributed it by producing 5.8 Gigaton. (1 Gigaton = 1,000,000,000,000 Kg)

Now, what are the sources of CO2 generation? They can be classified in three categories. 44% is from coal, 36% from Oil/Fuel and balanced 20% is from Gas.

Do you have any idea, how can we curb it? 
How can we reduce it to save our own existence? A challenging question requires our attention and action now!