Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, 18 November, declared that the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme will not be extended in the city.
“The sky is clear now, so there is no need of it,” announced Kejriwal, addressing a press conference.
The air quality in Delhi improved marginally on Monday, 18 November, but remained in the "poor" category for the second consecutive day.
Earlier on Friday, Kejriwal said a final call on extending the odd-even scheme would be taken on 18 November, as the air quality is expected to improve in the next two-three days.
"We do not want people to undergo unnecessary inconvenience," Kejriwal said at a press conference in Delhi on Friday, 15 November.
The scheme which was rolled out on 4 November came to an end at 8 pm on 15 November.
“Air quality is predicted to improve over the next two-three days. A final call on extending the odd even scheme will be taken on Monday. The residents cooperated very much in implementation of the scheme. There were 250-300 challans every day, which are very less considering the population.”Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister
‘How Do People Breathe’
The Supreme Court came down heavily on the AAP government on Friday, observing that odd-even vehicle scheme in the capital has not been effective in reducing pollution level and the air quality index (AQI) has deteriorated further.
“Delhi is suffering badly. The AQI inside the room is above 600 today. Outside the room, it is worse. How do people breathe?” the bench said.
It questioned Delhi government on the exemptions given, including to two and three wheelers, during odd-even scheme and said it is a "half baked solution".
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) ANS Nadkarni told the bench that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has found that odd-even has no effect on the pollution level in Delhi.
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Delhi government, said as per study reports, the pollution level has reduced from 5-15 percent during odd-even scheme.
"If exemptions are removed, it might reduce more. There are large number of two wheelers in the city and if we stop them (during odd-even scheme), the whole city will collapse," he said, adding, "The real culprit is stubble burning."
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