Published 16:35 IST, September 16th 2019
Odd-Even in Delhi: Plea in NGT claims opposite effect on air quality
A petition has been filed against Kejriwal's Odd Even scheme before the NGT demanding quashing of seven-point action plan by Delhi govt to tackle air pollution
Days after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his AAP government has decided to bring back the odd-even scheme to tackle the pollution levels in the national capital territory, a petition has been filed against it before the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The applicant Gaurav Kumar Bansal in its petition challenges the Action Plan stating 'as far as it says that Odd-Even policy is a very effective emergency measures to counter air pollution menace.' The petitioner demanded the quashing of Parali Pradushan that is the seven-point action plan of the Kejriwal government to tackle winter pollution. It claimed that the Delhi govt is insulting the reports of Central offices by basing its analysis on foreign reports.
It claims that as per the assessment of impact of odd-even scheme on air quality is concerned it was found to be more deteriorated during the odd-even implementation period than the one when the said restriction was not in force. The petition further states that in the year 2016 failed to curb the air pollution menace, therefore the stand of Kejriwal led the government to implement the policy based on study done by people of other countries is not only 'unpleasant'. It has asked the NGT to order the Delhi government to submit the studies done by foreign countries based on which it is implementing the Odd-Even scheme. It also asked the court to order the Delhi government to submit a 'factual report' on the steps taken by them to reduce the air pollution in the national capital. It has further demanded the NGT to set up a committee and analyse the veracity of the studies claiming Odd-Even was a success.
What is Odd-Even scheme?
In the odd-even scheme, vehicles whose registration number ends on even digits are allowed on even dates and those with odd digits will throng on odd dates. The timing for the odd-even scheme in previous phases was from 8 am to 8 pm. The violations of the scheme were fined up to Rs 2000. The Kejriwal government also exempted two-wheelers, women-only vehicles, CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles, emergency vehicles and VIPs in the previous phases. However, Delhi CM has announced that they will exempt only emergency vehicles this time.
Seven-point action plan by Kejriwal
Apart from the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal also announced a list of measures to fight pollution in the national capital. He said that Delhi will celebrate a Pollution-free Diwali without the burning of crackers. A massive laser show on Choti Diwali will be held. Kejriwal added: "The laser show will have free entry so that everyone can celebrate Diwali together and we hope people won't use firecrackers after that." He also said that the government will procure masks for the public on a massive scale and that they will be made available to the public, free of cost. His action plan also includes a dedicated helpline that will also be set up which will help people plant more trees, identification of 12 hotspots in Delhi which are categorized as heavily polluted areas and mechanized sweeping.
Updated 16:56 IST, September 16th 2019