The implementation of the odd-even vehicle rationing system in the national capital has been put on hold for now as the city is witnessing an improvement in air pollution levels, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said on Friday. This came shortly after the Supreme Court left the decision on the rule’s implementation to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government.
“Due to the rainfall last night, the AQI which was 450+ has now reached around 300. In view of this, the decision to implement the odd-even rule has been postponed. The situation would be analysed again after Diwali,” he said while addressing the media.
The odd-even rule – which allows private vehicles to be driven only on alternating days – depending on the last digit of their number plate – was to be implemented from November 13 to November 20 as a move to curb the worsening air pollution. Under this scheme, vehicles with license plate numbers ending in an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) are allowed to operate on even dates, while those ending in odd digits (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) can ply on odd dates.
A thick blanket of toxic suffocating smog which had gripped the national capital for more than 10 days was cleared on Friday after an intermittent rainfall through the night. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s air quality at 1 pm stood at 314 in the ‘very poor’ category. On Thursday night, the AQI was recorded at 460 – which is the severe category.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the air quality is expected to improve further due to wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
Supreme Court on Delhi air pollution
The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and Punjab government to show results on steps taken to curb pollution and posted the matter on November 21. While hearing the matter related to the debilitating air pollution in Delhi-NCR, a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul observed there were several reports and committees on the pollution issue, but nothing was happening at the ground level.
“We want farm fires stopped, we want air quality to get better. It’s your business how it occurs… The decline must go on during the Diwali holidays…We suggested a methodology, you do it however you want. But farm fires must be stopped. Some emergency measures are required to stop the farm fires,” the court told the central and state governments.
