Odd-even back for 5 days as Delhi chokes on smog

With the national capital gasping for breath, the Delhi government has decided to bring back the odd-even vehicle movement scheme for a week to tackle the air pollution crisis created by the killer smog.

The car rationing programme, under which odd- and even-numbered vehicles ply on alternate days, would be enforced in the city  for a five-day period from November 13, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot said.

According to the policy, private vehicles are allowed to run based on the last number of their licence plates.

Odd-numbered cars are allowed to run on odd dates, while even-numbered vehicles  can ply  on even dates. Single women drivers and government vehicles are exempted from the rule.

Owners of even-numbered cars can  use their vehicles on November 14 and 16, and those with odd-numbered cars are allowed to  use them on November 13, 15, and 17.

The impact of the scheme would be reviewed by the end of the week.

This is one of the measures suggested by the Delhi High Court to improve the quality of air in the national capital.

"Last year, the odd-even scheme had helped unclog the city. Why don't you (Delhi government) consider implementing the odd-even vehicle movement scheme as a short-term measure (to tackle pollution)?" the high court  observed.

In 2016, the scheme was enforced twice - January 1-15 and April 15-30. While it was a success in the first phase, Delhiites faced difficulties in April.

Vehicular pollution is the second largest and, most consistently, the contributing source to (particulate matter) PM10 and PM2.5 in winters, according to a 2016 IIT Kanpur study, commissioned by the Delhi government.