New Delhi, November 9, 2023: The Delhi government has announced the postponement of the implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme until the Supreme Court reviews its effectiveness and issues a formal order. The decision comes in the wake of deteriorating air quality in the national capital, which had prompted the city government to initially announce the scheme’s enforcement between November 13th and 20th.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai revealed that the government had conducted two studies related to the Odd-Even scheme. These findings will be presented during an upcoming Supreme Court hearing, where the scheme’s viability will be scrutinized. In addition to this, Minister Rai disclosed that the government will prohibit the entry of non-Delhi registered commercial cabs booked through popular ride-sharing apps such as Ola and Uber into the national capital. Only cabs registered in Delhi will be permitted to operate within the city, and the Transport Commissioner has already received the necessary directives to enforce this restriction.
Furthermore, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has been instructed to ensure that the Smog Tower at Connaught Place operates at full capacity starting today. The installation of such towers is seen as a crucial measure to combat air pollution in the city.
Minister Rai also outlined the formation of 611 teams comprised of various departments, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and DPCC. These teams have been assembled as part of an Anti-Open Burning campaign and will be responsible for monitoring and preventing open burning incidents across Delhi.
In a bid to tackle the air pollution crisis, Minister Rai recently held a meeting with a team from IIT Kanpur to explore the possibility of cloud seeding to induce artificial rain. This innovative approach is being considered as a means to clear the air and mitigate the pollution levels in the capital.
To address the worsening air quality, the Delhi government has rescheduled the December winter break for all schools. It will now commence from December 9th and continue until December 18th. This adjustment aims to protect the health and well-being of students during a period when air pollution typically spikes in the city.
As Delhi grapples with the ongoing air quality crisis, the government continues to explore and implement measures to alleviate the adverse effects of pollution and protect the health of its residents. The fate of the Odd-Even scheme now rests in the hands of the Supreme Court, which will determine its future based on the upcoming review.
