As Delhi AQI levels hit the 400-mark, 'odd-even' policy set to make a comeback
air quality levels deteriorating significantly, the Delhi government will likely bring back its 'odd-even' policy for restricting the movement of vehicles in the capital city.
«We are not delaying (for odd-even). The Supreme Court has given the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the mandate to take the decision.
According to their direction, we are moving our steps. If the situation turns very serious, then we will take further decisions after discussing it with everyone,» Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Friday.
The odd-even car-rationing scheme allows cars to ply on alternate days based on odd or even number plates.
There was a thick haze blanketing the skyline of the national capital and adjoining areas as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark at multiple locations. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in the Lodhi Road area was recorded at 438, in Jahangirpuri at 491, in the RK Puram area and in IGI Airport (T3) at 486 and 473 respectively.
Rai further claimed that the government cannot control the pollution in the national capital completely and that sources outside the city cause twice the pollution than inside.
«First of all, it is wrong to think that the Delhi Government can control pollution completely because the matter of pollution is not of Delhi alone.
Sources outside Delhi cause twice the pollution here than the sources within Delhi.»
He said that the Delhi government is working on a war footing. «It is a result of the efforts of CM Arvind Kejriwal that as per the report of the Central Government, in 2015, there were only 109 days out of 365 in which air quality was good.
Last year we reached 163 days. This year, Delhi experienced more than 200
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