Delhi Govt. defers implementation of the Odd-even scheme

The Supreme Court had questioned its effectiveness in curbing air pollution and termed it as “all optics”.

The Delhi government has deferred the implementation of the odd-even scheme for cars till the Supreme Court reviews its effectiveness in curbing pollution.

Gopal Rai, Environment Minister, said that the government would submit the outcomes of two major studies conducted by the Chicago-based Energy Policy Institute and the Delhi Technical University to determine the effectiveness of the odd-even scheme.

Earlier this week, the Delhi government had announced that it would enforce the odd-even scheme for cars from November 13-20. However, the Supreme Court had questioned its effectiveness in curbing air pollution and termed it as “all optics”.

The national capital region is enveloped in a thick haze every year around this time. One of the major contributors to Delhi’s air pollution is stubble-burning activities carried out in adjoining states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

As per studies, PM2.5 levels reduced by 14-16% in January 2016 during the odd-even hours. However, there was no reduction in pollution when the scheme was implemented in April last year.

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