Delhi pollution tracker: NGT raps govt. for announcing odd-even scheme, despite reports that it was ineffective

It points out that reports from the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and the DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) had said that it is ineffective.

Smog engulfs the New Delhi Railway Station on November 8, 2017.

With the air quality in Delhi hitting hazardous levels over the past few days, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday rapped the Delhi government for announcing the reintroduction of the odd-even car rationing scheme despite reports from the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) and the DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) that it was ineffective.

It directed the government to produce details of ambient air quality during earlier odd-even schemes.

It asked the government to give an undertaking that it will roll out odd-even only when the particulate matter levels are over 300.

It said the government would not implement the odd-even unless it established that the scheme was not counter-productive.

It allowed the industries engaged in essential services to operate in Delhi-NCR on the condition that they would not pollute.

It asked the government why it had exempted two-wheelers and women in the scheme.

The government on Thursday announced that it would reinroduce the odd-even scheme for five days, starting from November 13.

Free travel

The Delhi government will allow free travel in all DTC, cluster buses during the odd-even scheme period, says Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.

Air purifiers, masks, indoor plants to mitigate effects of smog

A man buys an air mask from a medical shop at Bali Nagar in New Delhi on Friday.

Better-off inhabitants of the world's most polluted capital are swarming sellers of face masks.

 

Re-introduction of odd-even scheme

The  AAP government of Delhi on Thursday announced the re-introduction of the odd-even scheme  as part of a Graded Response Plan to tackle the alarming pollution situation.

The scheme was first implemented in January 2016, and re-introduced in April the same year. As per the rule, private non-commercial vehicles are allowed out on on alternate days - odd days if a vehicle’s licence plate ends in an odd number, and even days if it ends in an even number.

 

Blame game over smog

As pollution levels in the National Capital Region remained severe for the third straight day, politics over who is responsible for the smog crisis took the centre stage, with the northern States blaming each other or the Centre.