Delhi: Ready to enforce odd-even if needed, says Kailash Gahlot

NEW DELHI: As the capital continues to gasp for clean air, the Delhi government is ready to implement its vehicle rationing scheme — odd-even — to improve the air quality if the situation deteriorates further.
“The Delhi government is always ready for odd-even. We have started it in the capital under the leadership of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Now odd-even is part of the graded action plan. We are ready to follow it at any notice,” transport minister Kailash Gahlot said on Wednesday.

Gahlot urged people to use public transport to help control the deteriorating air quality in the capital. The government has also sent a proposal to Delhi Disaster Management Authority to permit standing passengers in public transport. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no standing passenger is allowed in public transport to maintain social distancing.
The minister also appealed to neighbouring states to act seriously and take concrete steps to check pollution.
Delhi’s air quality is currently hovering in the “very poor” category. In the wake of the latest order of Commission for Air Quality Management for NCR and adjoining areas, the AAP government has implemented a slew of measures to tackle air pollution. The commission has directed that trucks carrying non-essential goods should not be allowed to enter the capital till November 21.
An odd-even scheme has been implemented in the capital several times in the past few years to reduce vehicular congestion on the road. On odd days, only odd-numbered vehicles are permitted to ply and, on even days, even-numbered vehicles can be used. It forces people to carpool or use public transport system, leading to lower emissions. However, due to the pandemic, which requires social distancing, carpooling is now a challenging idea.