In view of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, the state government has imposed the odd-even vehicle system, which allows vehicles with odd number plates to ply on odd dates and those with even registration numbers to ply on alternate days.
The decision was announced by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai after the emergency meeting convened by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday. This comes after pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit.
Rai added that a call on work-from-home system for 50 per cent staff in govt and private offices will be taken later.
The minister also said that the government has decided to suspend in-person classes in all schools, except for students of grades X and XII preparing for board exams, so as to prioritise the health of schoolchildren.
The worsening air quality has prompted the state to implement GRAP-4, under which only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are allowed to enter Delhi. Exemptions are granted only to those involved in essential services. All medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services are also banned in the capital, according to the latest order from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Vehicular emissions contribute to roughly 40 per cent of the PM 2.5 pollution in the national capital, according to a 2018 study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute.
