It is often considered that the most useful method to combat the issue of both traffic and contamination is to enhance the cost of fuel. I strongly deny this opinion with the thought of applying other methods that are more effective for restraining this problem.
To begin with, if the escalating price of petrol instigate price hike of other commodities, it would pose a major threat to the middle-class people of the society, compelling them to buy their daily necessary products including, clothes, food and so on at much higher rate. For instance, people with a very low salary won’t be able to purchase their desired dress, mandatory healthcare items, triggering other social problems like hunger. The government can resolve these problems following other consecutive measures like limiting the number of private cars each family can own, and so on.
On the flip side, the sudden rise in the petrol price will pave ways for people to search for alternatives to maintain a proper balance between costing of transportation and remedy of the aforementioned two problems. As a result, scientists will continue to conduct more researches in search for other cost friendly options to cope up with price hike as well as traffic and pollution problem. For instance, they will be more interested in using CNG, solar powered vehicles, electric tram, metro rail etc. Besides, the usage of public transport can be a solution the problem of traffic jam as well.
In conclusion, considering the factors discussed above, I firmly believe rather than increasing petrol cost, other cost-effective methods can be practiced for reducing traffic and contamination which will assure from any sudden price hike of other products causing more social problems.