The comments come in the wake of a plan by the Delhi government to allow cars with odd and even registration numbers on alternate days from January 1 in an effort to curb crippling air pollution in the city.
The air pollution in Delhi is so bad that if people don't do anything about it, they should be prepared to die, noted industrialist and former Parliamentarian Rahul Bajaj has said.
"Anything that is being done to reduce pollution is welcome. Of course there will be problems. If you are not ready to tolerate it then die of pollution, die of smog," Mr Bajaj said.
The remark comes in the wake of a plan by the Delhi government to allow cars with odd and even registration numbers on alternate days from January 1 in an effort to curb crippling air pollution in the city.
The proposal, to be implemented on a trial basis, has triggered a widespread debate and was also
challenged in a petition.
Backing the plan
announced by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government last week, Mr Bajaj said, "I have nothing to do with Aam Aadmi Party but I know Mr Kejriwal. I believe that he is well intentioned."
"I can't tell a car-wala to go by bicycle or a bus but you have to adjust. Pool. Get a friend to pick you up or you pick him up on alternate days," Mr Bajaj said, responding to a common criticism from those who have complained about the viability of the government's proposal.
Before Mr Bajaj,
Chief Justice TS Thakur had backed the plan saying Supreme Court judges want to help in curbing air pollution in the national capital and even he won't mind taking a bus to reach the court.
"If a judge of Supreme Court can pool cars (with other judges), it sends a message to the people that we have no problem," he said. "We can walk down or even take a bus."
On Wednesday,
the Delhi High Court refused to block the plan, rejecting a petition that challenged and called the plea "premature".