Kejriwal: Unable to gauge contribution of various sources of pollution

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, October 17, said it is impossible to gauge the contribution of various sources of pollution to the deteriorating air quality of the national capital.

Addressing the media, Kejriwal said, "It is the truth that the pollution in Delhi is both from inside and outside sources. It is, however, impossible to analyze how much these sources contribute to the deteriorating air quality. On one hand, an agency says that the stubble burning contributes only one percent to the pollution, the other marks it up to 10 percent." 

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'Government trying its best to improve air quality'

The Chief Minister cited a report by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) which stated that only 36 percent of the pollution in Delhi is due to internal factors and the rest comes from the neighbouring states. Kejriwal said that his government is trying its best to improve the air quality but the issue will exist until the stubble burning in neighbouring states is stopped. He further added that his government has set up a system since April this year, which will analyze Delhi's air quality over a year, the system will be able to give an account of the sources of pollution to the public by April 2020.

"It will prepare the base data for one whole year. By April 1 next year, we will be able to give an account to the public, of the sources of pollution and its real-time data," he said.

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Odd-Even from November 4 to 15

Pertaining to the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal announced that the scheme will be applicable in Delhi from November 4 to November 15 due to increased pollution in the city. Under the scheme, vehicles with even number plates will be allowed on even dates whereas, on odd dates, odd-numbered vehicles will be allowed, except a few exemptions. It will be applicable from 8 am to 8 pm, except on Sundays. The violation of the rules will attract a fine of Rs 4,000. The scheme will be applicable on vehicles coming from other states, and will only be applicable on non-transport four-wheeler vehicles. Two-wheelers will be exempted from the odd-even scheme. Furthermore, women-only vehicles, vehicles driven by handicapped people and vehicles carrying children in school uniforms, and the emergency vehicles will also be exempted from the scheme. He also added that 16-night teams have been deployed for vigilance amongst the other measures to curb pollution.

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"The scheme will be applicable from 8 am to 8 pm whereas it will not be applicable on Monday. The penalty for violating the odd-even scheme will be Rs 4,000. Apart from two-wheelers, vehicles of President of India, Vice-President of India, Prime Minister of India, Governors of states, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Union Ministers, Leaders of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Cheif Ministers of other states and Union Territories except the CM of Delhi, vehicles of judges of the Supreme Court, chairperson UPSC, Chief election commissioner, vehicle of CAG, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Deputy speaker of Lok Sabha, Chief Justice and judges of the Delhi High Court, Lokayukta, and emergency vehicles, enforcement vehicles, vehicles bearing Defence Ministry number plates will be exempted from the Odd-Even scheme. CNG vehicles that were exempted last time will now be under the Odd-Even scheme. Women only vehicles, vehicles are driven by handicapped people and vehicles carrying children in school uniforms will also be exempted," Kejriwal added.

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