Govt in no mood to drop odd-even plan midway despite HC suggestion

The Delhi government on Wednesday seemed inclined to continue its odd-even plan for its the scheduled 15 days despite the Delhi High Court asking it to consider ending it midway.

On the sixth day of the odd-even car rationing plan, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said we will provide all the data related to outcome of the drive with the court on January 8 and showcase how the levels of PM 2.5 pollutants in city, barring outskirts, has dropped by 30-35 per cent.

He said there was no significant drop in PM 10 pollutants as the main cause for dust on roads. “For this, we are starting vacuum cleaning of roads from April 1,” he said.

Pointing to reduction in congestion on roads, Rai said: “Our target is to make Delhi pollution-free and for this want to run the plan till January 15, as planned.”
Rai said the government would apprise the court that it will be able to undertake a “proper analysis” with 15 days’ data in hand.

“We decided to make it a 15-day long programme so that we gather sufficient data which can be better looked into and prepare further blueprint,” he said.

Rai said the court raised the issue of shortcomings in public transport and the resultant inconvenience being caused to commuters and we plan to inform the court about car pooling and increase in frequency in Metro and buses for carrying 28 lakh and 45 lakh passengers.

Environment experts said the drive has three aspects pollution, congestion, awareness. Pollution has not declined due to the weather phenomenon and also because the total share of cars in vehicular population and emission is low, say experts.

“Congestion on roads is down and road speed has improved. This is a big gain as there are lesser idle vehicles at red lights and intersections,” said Sumit Sharma, Fellow, The Energy and Resources Institute.

In terms of awareness, the drive is a blockbuster hit. “The odd-even plan is the talk of the town. From kids to elderly, everybody is talking about,” said another expert.