Apex court appreciates odd-even Delhi formula

 The Supreme Court on Thursday appreciated the Delhi government’s odd-even formula for containing air pollution, while refusing to allow a plea for urgent hearing against it.

A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur described as “publicity stunt” a special leave petition challenging the Delhi High Court order, which upheld the scheme, launched for a period of 15 days from January 1.

“People are dying due to air pollution… we are doing car pooling, and you want to challenge it for publicity,” the bench, also comprising Justices A K Sikri and R Banumathi, told advocate B Badrinath as he sought an urgent hearing of his petition against the odd-even scheme.

 “There is no urgency in the matter. Let it come up in due course,” the bench said. The bench even warned the petitioner of imposing a heavy cost if he insisted with his plea.

However, the causelist for Friday showed the petition filed by Badrinath as listed for hearing on January 15.

The high court had on January 11 declined to interfere with the Aam Aadmi Party government’s odd-even rule, noting the restriction on cars was to remain in operation till January 15.