Delhi air pollution: No odd-even rule to come into effect in India's national capital

The so-called 'odd-even' traffic restriction scheme will not come into effect in Delhi as of now, the Indian capital's Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday (Nov 10). Thescheme, in which the movement of privately owned vehicles is restricted on the basis of their odd or even registration numbers, was supposed to be enforced from November 14, as the air quality of the city and nearby regions worsened in the past few days.

The announcement came days after the Supreme Courtleft it to the Aam Aadmi Party government to decide on the scheme's implementation, even as it rapped it.

Reacting to the worsening air quality in the national capital, the court had called the scheme "mere optics".

The court had asked for proof of the success of the scheme.

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Minister Rai said that the Delhi government will now consider the odd-even scheme's implementation after the air quality review post Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights which often sees fireworks that add to pollution levels.

"An improvement is seen in pollution levels. The AQI, which was 450+, has now reached around 300. (So) the decision to implement odd-even from November 13-20 has been postponed. The situation will be analysed again after Diwali," the minister stated.

At Friday's hearing on the air quality issue, the court was referred to a report that vehicular pollution is reduced by 13 per cent after implementation of the odd-even scheme.

The court was further informed that the kilometres travelled also decreased by an estimated 3.78 million per day after the scheme was brought into effect.

A Delhi government affidavit added that this also decreased the fuel consumption per day by an average of 15 per cent during the scheme.

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However, the court stated that as per the report, vehicular pollution contributed only 17 per cent to the larger pollution issue and that the scheme has led to a 13 per cent reduction in that amount.

"Total vehicular pollution is 17 per cent. Of this... you are saying there is a decline of 13 per cent?" the court quizzed, and added, "We are only flagging it. You take a call... you want to do it, then you can. Can't then say 'pollution because Supreme Court passed an order'."

Rains bring respite for smog-enveloped Delhi

Meanwhile, even as Delhi was reportedly mulling artificial rain, overnight rains across the national capital helped the AQI to dropfrom 500 to 407 at 7 am (local time) on Friday (Nov 10).

"God heard peoples' prayers and intervened... sometimes wind helps. But no thanks to government. (All) we want to know is... what is being done about farm fires, apart from waiting for rain?" said Justice SK Kaul, while speaking about the rains which lashed the capital on Thursday night and Friday.

Rai asks UP to stopplying of non-destined vehicles in Delhi from its border

Minister Gopal Rai on Friday (Nov 10) alsowroteto the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh's Transport Minister Daya Shankar Singh to take prompt action to stop the entry ofnon-destined vehicles in Delhi from their state's border, which he is said is causing vehicular air pollution in the capital city.

Meanwhile, the University of Delhi also announced an early winter break from November 13 to 19 for the college students in the wake of the capital city's worsening air quality.

(With inputs from agencies)