The odd-even car scheme will not be implemented in Delhi from November 13 as the air quality has improved after light rains, Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Rai said that the air quality index (AQI) which was over 450 has now reached around 300. The odd-even car rationing scheme will be implemented after analysing the situation post Diwali. The scheme calls for cars to operate on alternate days based on whether the last digit of the registration number is odd or even.
The air quality in several regions of Delhi marginally improved on Friday morning and particulate matter levels dropped after the overnight rains. The meteorological department has predicted more rains over the next few days.
The Delhi government's decision comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the effectiveness of the scheme and called it mere “optics”. In its affidavit filed in the apex court on Friday, the AAP government reportedly stated that the odd-even scheme reduces vehicular pollution by 13 per cent. The court, however, pointed out the report also said vehicular pollution is only an estimated 17 per cent of the larger problem.
The Delhi government is also awaiting permission from the apex court to introduce artificial rains to tackle pollution. “We are waiting for the written order from the Supreme Court. We will analyse the court's order and then make a decision,” Rai said.
The Supreme Court also made it clear it wanted the Punjab and neighbouring states to stop burning farm residue—one of the key factors contributing to the toxic air in Delhi-NCR.
