Published 14:28 IST, November 5th 2019
Have ample proof of Odd-Even's effectivity: Transport Min on SC remark
Responding to the SC’s remark about the rationale of Odd-Even scheme, Delhi's Transport Minister said there was ample evidence to show its effectivity.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s remark about the rationale of the Odd-Even scheme, AAP leader and Delhi's Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that there was ample evidence to show that the scheme was effective in tackling pollution. “There are reports and data by reputed international organisations who work on air quality and pollution. Even an IIT report says that pollution gets reduced. We are simply saying that if you reduce 50% of vehicles from the roads of Delhi, then definitely, things will improve," he said speaking to a news agency.
SC questions the odd-even scheme
Reportedly, after hearing the various arguments on the pollution crisis in Delhi and other parts of North India, the Supreme Court, on Monday had directed Punjab, Haryana and UP to ensure that not a single instance of stubble burning takes place henceforth. It also pulled up the Center for not doing enough to stop crop stubble burning. The apex court had observed that the situation in Delhi is 'worse than an emergency now' and also questioned the AAP government's logic behind the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme. The next date of hearing in the matter is November 6.
The Transport Minister welcomed all the directions issued by the Supreme Court on Monday, stating that the government will comply with each directive. Gahlot also expressed confidence that the people of Delhi will not flout the rule and the air quality of the national capital will improve as a result. Praising the Supreme Court's directions, he remarked, "I am also very happy with the way court went into detail and passed orders for other states and the best thing is that the court has made everyone, from Chief Secretary to gram pradhan in a state accountable. It will bring about a substantial change.”
Delhiites suffer from heavy metal toxicity
The situation refuses to get any better in the national capital. According to a survey, around 41% of the Delhi population is suffering from severe heavy metal toxicity. It is also reported that out of 165 patients, 68 patients were found positive for some kind of severe metal toxicity. Metals like aluminium, mercury, lead, arsenic, and cadmium were the most commonly found metals in these patients. Pollution is seen as the major reason behind increasing metal toxicity in the human body. As Delhi continues to reel under the hazardous air quality, the Air Quality Index on Tuesday morning was 381, which comes under the 'very poor' category, according to SAFAR.
(Inputs from ANI)
Updated 15:28 IST, November 5th 2019