Attention Delhi, Starting Jan 1 the Way you Commute Will Change

To address pollution, Delhi government proposes ‘odd, even’ number formula for cars from Jan 1, 2016.

A smoggy day in Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

The Delhi government has come up with a new action plan to combat air pollution in the national capital, and it might just change your ways to commute, rather drastically.

The state government has proposed an ‘odd/even’ number formula for cars from January 1, 2016.

This means that on the roads of the national capital, vehicles with an even registration number will be alternated with those with an odd registration number.

The government has suggested that those who need to commute but do not have a vehicle that falls under the new policy, can avail public transport.

Here’s How to Help Yourself

• The state government is working towards increasing DTC buses on the roads, both in number and frequency.
  
• The Delhi Metro rail authorities will also be requested to increase their operations.
  
• The environment department and the state transport wing will work together to shut the Badarpur power plant which has been identified to be increasing pollution.
  
• The government will also move a petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to close the Dadri thermal power plant in Uttar Pradesh.
  
• Transport department will put effective checks in place and those without necessary clearances will be penalised.
• An app will be introduced wherein citizens can take pictures of leaves or garbage being burnt and send it to the concerned department.

So if you’re not too fond of buses, you’ll probably have to change your preferences. And if you don’t, be prepared to pay a bomb and maybe even get rejected.

This major revamping has come after the Delhi High Court observed, on Thursday, that the “alarming” proportions of toxic gases in Delhi’s air, make residing in the city akin to “living in a gas chamber”.

Following this, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called for an urgent meeting and decided to comply with the court order to present a comprehensive action plan to combat the situation.