Delhi odd-even scheme: No extension for now, says Arvind Kejriwal
1 min read 18 Nov 2019, 09:25 AM ISTArvind Kejriwal said there is no need of odd-even scheme as the sky is clear nowArvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had introduced the odd-even scheme on 4th November
PremiumDelhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there is no need of odd-even scheme in the national capital. He said the weather in the capital has cleared up. The third edition of the odd-even scheme, which was implemented from 4th November came to an end in Delhi on 15th November. Keeping in view the pollution level in the national capital, there were speculations that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal might extend the road rationing scheme.
To ensure hassle free commute on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the odd-even rule was lifted on November 11 and 12.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the national capital saw 5 days each of very poor and severe air quality. On November 12, the AQI entered the severe zone (425) and has continued to deteriorate further, PTI reported. Also on Friday, the Supreme Court said the odd-even scheme was a "half-baked solution" to the severe pollution level in the national capital as it is not effective in reducing pollution. The apex court also questioned the exemptions, including to two and three wheelers, during the scheme.
In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion and pollution, Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had introduced the odd-even scheme on 4th November.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asserted that there is a "very strong correlation" between stubble burning and pollution in north India as he attributed the improvement in air quality to dip in cases of setting crop residue afire.
Kejriwal and the ruling AAP have been at the forefront of blaming stubble burning in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana as one of the major reasons for high levels of air pollution during winters in Delhi.
"A very strong correlation can be seen between stubble burning and the spike in air pollution in North India. As soon as stubble burning began in the first week of Oct, the AQI started rising. Now that burning is coming to an end, air quality is also improving'" the chief minister tweeted.
Odd-even scheme
Under the road rationing system, the vehicles with registration number ending with even digits—0, 2, 4, 6 and 8—were allowed to run on even dates, and those ending with odd numbers 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 were plying on odd dates. The odd-even scheme was effective from 8 am to 8 pm from Monday to Saturday.
-With Agency inputs
