odd even scheme:In the wake of mounting pollution levels and health concerns affecting the city’s residents, the Delhi government said the Odd-Even vehicle system will be implemented from November 13 to 20.A decision to extend the scheme will be made after November 20. “There are over 7,000 buses running in Delhi, out of which 1,000 are electric. The frequency of buses and metros has also increased. To reduce vehicular pollution, an odd-even scheme has been started,” said Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.
The Delhi government had earlier banned the entry of polluting trucks and construction. However, the air quality did not improve.Delhi government on Monday announced the comeback of the odd-even scheme as the national capital reels from the worst level of pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said, “In view of air pollution, the Odd-Even vehicle system will be applicable for one week from 13th to 20th November”.
What is an odd-even scheme?
This scheme is a traffic rationing measure. With the implementation of these schemes, private vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit will be allowed on roads on odd dates and those with an even digit on even dates. “On odd dates, vehicles with registration numbers ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be allowed to ply. On even dates, vehicles with registration numbers ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 will run,” said Rai.
It was first introduced in 2016 by the AAP government to control vehicular pollution and bring down increasing particulate matter levels. The odd-even scheme will apply to all non-transport four-wheeled vehicles and even those coming in from other states. It is recommended under Stage IV or the ‘severe plus’ category of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This scheme is not unique to Delhi. Cities such as Milan, Beijing and Rome have also adopted it.
Date and timings:
The Delhi government will implement the odd-even scheme for a week between November 13 to 20. The scheme can also be extended if Delhi’s AQI does not show any sign of improvement during the first duration. Odd or even numbered vehicles according to the date, will be allowed to move in the city between 8 am to 8 pm. Beyond these time limits, normal movement will be allowed. To be clear, vehicles with registration numbers ending with 1,3,5,7 and 9 will be allowed on odd days and vehicle registrations ending with 0,2,4,6 and 8 will be allowed on even days.
Delhi pollution level worsens
Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi on Monday recorded an AQI of 488.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government has taken stringent measures in recent days, including a ban on entry of polluting trucks as the air turns toxic due to unfavourable wind conditions and a sharp rise in farm fires across north India.According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the capital experienced peak pollution from November 1 to November 15 when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increased.
According to the New Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), a total of 4,160 farm fires were reported from north India on Sunday — the highest so far this season.Punjab alone reported 3,230 incidents of stubble burning, the state’s highest in a day so far this season, according to Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data.