Delhi Govt calls off "Odd-Even Scheme" for now
In a surprising move, the Delhi Government has now reportedly called off the odd-even traffic scheme, which was to be implemented from 13-17 November. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot made the announcement that they have decided to suspend it for now as they are not yet ready. This comes after the National Green Tribunal approved the odd-even rule earlier in the day.
Announcing that the odd-even scheme has been called off, Kailash Gahlot stated that the Delhi Government is not yet ready to implement the traffic restrictions without the exemptions, especially to women. He said the government would approach the NGT again on Monday (13 November) asking it to reconsider its decision on exemption to two-wheelers, women, and government servants.
An initiative to minimize vehicular traffic, the odd-even scheme allows odd- and even-numbered vehicles to ply on alternate days. Delhi's decision was inspired by Beijing's successful implementation of the scheme ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics. The last two times it was carried out for 15 days from 8am to 8pm except on Sundays. Though violators were charged Rs. 2,000, no vehicles were impounded.
The National Green Tribunal, which earlier barred the Delhi Government from re-introducing the odd-even scheme, has given its approval to the Kejriwal-led government to implement the traffic restrictions. The green court stressed that two-wheelers, women, and government servants wouldn't be exempted from the scheme this time. It also added the odd-even scheme should be implemented whenever PM10 goes beyond 300 and PM2.5 crosses 500.
The NGT asked Delhi Government's rationale behind implementing the odd-even scheme and also questioned why it did not impose the traffic restrictions when the pollution was worse. It also asked why artificial rains were not triggered when statistics suggested that rains would lead to a decrease in air pollution levels. Earlier, it questioned why the government was implementing odd-even only for five days.
The scheme was previously used twice in 2016 - from January 1-15 and April 15-30. However, CNG and electric cars, two-wheelers, cars driven by women, people with disabilities and VVIPs, and vehicles used for medical emergencies were exempted from the rule.
