Beijing is mulling over a congestion charge to ease the capital's worsening traffic.

After a series of measures have been adopted in the past couple of years, including restricted driving in certain road sections and a license plate lottery to control vehicle ownership, the congestion charge is seen by some as Beijing's "last trump card" to tackle its traffic jams.

The plan to launch a congestion charge policy, announced on Monday by the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, unsurprisingly caused a stir in public opinion. While some believe it's too early to consider a congestion charge scheme, others believe this simply mirrors the Beijing municipal authorities' "lazy governance."

Debate over any policy to tackle the seemingly "insoluble" traffic gridlock mirrors one fundamental fact in China's large cities: There are simply so many people and so many diversified demands that no policy can satisfy all. Some call for social fairness and tolerance today, but complain too many migrants are rushing in tomorrow. Others frown upon the bad air quality, while cursing the car lottery policy that prevents them from vehicle ownership.

It is expensive to live in a metropolis in any country, but the costs seem especially hefty in China. In the past few decades, the rapid economic improvement and social progress became a catalyst for numerous career opportunities and individual success, which was especially prominent in large cities.

But the other side of the coin is that metropolis residents, who shared in the dividends from the rapid economic miracle, have to suffer problems that have amassed in an equally short period. In this megacity with more than 20 million residents and car ownership surpassing 5 million, traffic jams, like smog or urban flooding, are just some of the syndromes.

Sharp criticism from the public tests the government's wisdom and capability. The Beijing Traffic Management Bureau released a notice Friday, predicting a hike in traffic congestion indexes in September due to the beginning of the new school year and the upcoming holidays.

These specific problems call not only for long-term planning, but also urgent measures of coordination among functional departments.

Gridlock should also stimulate a shift in public attitude, from simply grumbling about the government and others to taking the initiative in acting practically.

As some experts hold, gaining social acceptance and raising public awareness remain a big problem in China when it comes to promoting traffic reforms and innovative solutions. With pragmatic social support absent, traffic jams will certainly remain a social headache.

Related news: Beijing mulls vehicle congestion charge