The Delhi government will consider implementing the odd-even rule after Diwali
-
With the rise of air pollution, Delhi became the most polluted city in the world.
-
The previous implementation of the odd-even rule reduced pollution by 13 percent.
-
It was first used in 2016 and if implemented after Diwali, it will be its fourth use.
-
Delhi government also plans to use artificial rain to tackle the rising AQI levels.
Like a twisted annual ritual, the air quality of Delhi, our national capital, deteriorated to such an extent that it became the most polluted city in the world. The Air Quality Index (AQI) level was rated as ‘Hazardous’ for several consecutive days. To address the worsening conditions, the Delhi government planned to reintroduce the odd-even rule from November 13 to 20. However, after a hearing at the Supreme Court, the decision was made to postpone its implementation.
What Is The Odd-Even Rule?
The odd-even rule was first implemented in 2016 in an attempt to counter the high levels of air pollution in Delhi during the festive period. Under this rule, people were allowed to take their cars out on alternate days based on the last digit of their car’s registration number. Cars with odd numbers were allowed on the roads on odd dates, and cars with even numbers were allowed on even dates.
The purpose of this rule is to reduce the number of cars on Delhi’s roads, thereby decreasing tailpipe pollution. However, the rule applies only to four-wheeler passenger vehicles using petrol or diesel, not CNG cars, bikes, and commercial vehicles.
Reason Behind Postponing It
When the odd-even rule was proposed for 2023, the matter was taken to the Supreme Court to assess its validity considering the inconvenience it causes to citizens versus the benefits for commercial mobility providers. During the hearing, the government presented a report indicating that the previous implementation of the odd-even rule had reduced air pollution by 13 percent. However, the court pointed out that the report also states that vehicles contribute only 17 percent to the total pollution in the city, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the 13 percent reduction in the larger context. The benefits of this policy may not be sufficient to justify impeding the freedom of the people.
Other Reasons
Additionally, the region’s air quality has improved in recent days, partly due to rain showers, with the AQI dropping from over 450 to around 300. This improvement led the Delhi government to postpone the odd-even rule until after Diwali, at which point the situation will be reassessed to determine if the policy needs to be implemented to curb pollution.
The Supreme Court has also urged the Delhi government to pursue other efforts to reduce air pollution in the city. The government is also planning to use artificial rain to bring pollutants to the ground and make the air cleaner. Individuals can also contribute by using vehicles only when necessary and opting for public transport, thus further reducing pollution caused by tailpipe emissions.
