Experts Give Odd-Even Plan a Thumbs Up But Say More Reforms Needed

Experts are in favour of the odd-even car scheme in Delhi as they feel less congestion has reduced pollution.

Volunteers supporting the odd-even formula in New Delhi on January 1, 2016. (Photo: AP)

Less congestion in Delhi owing to the odd-even car rationing scheme is shielding people from “direct exposure” to pollutants, especially in and around areas of high car density like traffic junctions, experts opine.

The experts unanimously endorse that a reduction in the volume of cars was simultaneously bringing down levels of gaseous pollutants like oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and black carbon, which is a mixture of road dust and vehicle fumes.

<p>Sharp drop of pollutants from the peak levels has been observed over the last few days. Congestion causes pollution and it affects the lower middle class more who are directly exposed to criteria pollutants like oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and black carbon.</p>

<b> Anumita Roychowdhury, Centre for Science and Environment </b>

The measures aimed at curbing pollution came into force on January 1. Dismissing murmurs that the pilot plan has yielded little gains until now, ecologists and urban planners said that while hostile weather conditions may be limiting the gains, it has definitely restricted the peak levels from spiralling out of hand.

<p>Enforcing the car rationing scheme is not enough and the government needs to focus on implementing all the other measures like shutting down the coal-based Badarpur thermal power plant.</p>

<b> Samar Halarnkar, IndiaSpend</b>

Pollution should not be looked at only from the point of view of the amount of suspended particulate matters like PM 2.5 and PM 10.

<p>Cars not only take most of the space but also affects common people the most.</p>

<b> Madhav Pai, EMBARQ </b>

Over 1.5 lakh cars were added to the city’s roads in 2015 along with 3.5 lakh bikes and scooters, taking the number of total registered vehicles to whopping 88. 27 lakh, according to the Delhi Statistical Hand Book 2015.