New Delhi: The launch of the Rs1-lakh car was received with scepticism by Dr RK Pachauri, head of the UN body on climate change, which this year shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former US vice-president Al Gore.

“This is not the transport option for the country of a billion people many of whom cannot afford to buy even a bus ticket,’’ said Dr Pachauri.

"This car was not going to drive away two wheelers from the road, as has not happened in case of Maruti 800 too," he said. He, however, sought to clarify that he had nothing personally against the car but against its usage and demanded more user charges and taxation on cars.

At the launch of the Nano earlier in the day, Ratan Tata had said Pachauri need not worry as the car would meet strict pollution control norms.

“I am not blaming the manufacturer for it, but would certainly say that they should better concentrate on investing in public transport,’’ Dr Pachauri said.

To a question, he said it would be wrong to think that the Tata car would be a substitute for two wheelers. It would be just an add-on to the chaotic traffic conditions.

Dr Pachauri blamed the policy makers for the increasing road congestion in Indian cities and towns, and said users of cars should be made to pay for the road space they were using. Giving the example of central London, he said the imposition of heavy user charge on those entering that part of the city had yielded results, so there was no reason that similar measures in Delhi should fail.

Source : DNAIndia