Delhi Govt willing to re-impliment the odd-even rule

New Delhi, December 26: Delhi chief minister Aravind Kejriwal hinted on Tuesday that the state government is willing to re-impliment the odd-even car rationing scheme if needed.


Air pollution in Delhi has reached a peak level that the Supreme court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority on Monday banned the industrial activity in pollution hot spots and construction work across Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) until Wednesday.

Delhi has been battling for the past recent years severe air pollution, especially in the winter. The Central pollution Control Board data proved the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) on Tuesday at 416, while the centre-run System of Air Quality and Wheather Forecasting and Research recorded an AQI of 423 for the day. An AQI above 400 falls in the "High" Category.

"If there is a need for odd-even, then we will compulsory implement it," kejriwal said.

"The Delhi government is implimenting various steps to tackle pollution. We did large-scale tree plantation.The government is in the plan to buy 3000 buses. The government has sanctioned a new phase of the Metro. We are also planning to implement lakes in different design and recharging old lakes. We are working at our level best. However, people need to understand about the pollution around their surroundings and also understand how they are polluting the environment... We need to control that," he said

The Delhi government has faced criticism from opposition parties for not able to control the inceasing levels of air pollution. However, Kejriwal forced the centre s role in bringing neighbouring states on board to work together to control these increasing level of pollution.

"Air has no boundary to roam. In these winter days, there are 20-25 days when the pollution level increase in Delhi because of stubble burning (in neighbouring states). until the centre takes steps, not able to do anythying," Kejriwal said.

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government first implemented the odd-even scheme in 2016. Women, vehicles fuelled by compressed natural gas, hybrid vehicles and two-wheelers were exempt. The rules and restrictions were applicable from 8AM to 8PM. The government was not impliment it last year as the National Green Tribunal raised concerns over the exemption of women and two-wheelers.