ODD-EVEN SCHEME: Air Pollution under scanner

In an effort to reduce the air pollution which is at an all-time high and impacting the environment, the Delhi government proposed the odd-even scheme where the vehicles with odd and even number plates should hit the road on alternate days. This way the government thinks that the air pollution caused by increasing vehicular presence on the road can be kept under check.

This is not the first time an idea of this scale has been put forth. Previously, cities across the world have experimented with the ways in which pollution can be cut. For example, the odd and even scheme was implemented in Columbia and Beijing, though later the scheme was rolled off. The need for this arises because of the increasing vehicle count on the road which is drastically affecting the environment. At present, there are 87 lakh vehicles in Delhi, half of which hit the road every day and contribute to air pollution. Odd and even scheme is one such measure that has been introduced on an experimental basis in order to arrest the peaking of the air pollution level. The success of this depends on how much discipline people show in adhering to the rules, how well the traffic police are trained to handle new regulations and how frequent the public transport system is made available to people to cope up with this new change, majorly when they don’t have the luxury of using their own personal vehicles.

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The odd even scheme was rolled out, as per the decision of Delhi government, on January 1, 2016 where the odd –even numbered vehicles were allowed to ply on the roads on alternate days. This has been implemented as a pilot project till January 15, 2016, where the success of the project depends on the reduction in the vehicular pollution. In order to ensure that the new restrictions are implemented properly, the government has proposed a fine of Rs 2000 in case an even numbered car is used on an odd numbered day, as per the revised Motor Vehicles Act. This is also a testing time for the AAP government as it has been accused of just boasting of governance and not showing any leadership since the time it has been elected.

Now that it has been eight days since the odd even plan has been rolled out and the data collected on the pollutant levels is a clear indication that the scheme has been successful in declining the vehicular pollution despite many apprehensions when it was initially proposed.  Based on the data collected from 55 locations, the government has said that there is a positive impact on the environment due to drastic improvement in the air quality. Though the Delhi High Court earlier asked the government to implement the scheme for just a week instead of the planned 15 days, such positive results forced the bench to extend the scheme beyond 15 days. Clearly, this is a good news for the AAP government which has proved that it can govern properly, shunning all the critics who used to doubt its credibility.

Well, this is just the beginning. Once the initial enthusiasm fades, people will again get tempted to get rid of this responsibility. Hence, the real success depends on how disciplined and patient people remain in following the regulations for long time as the ultimate objective is to curb air pollution which has kept increasing with the changing facing of ruling governments.

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About the Author: Arshdeep Kaur is an Electronics and Communication Engineer who is working in one of the leading MNCs in Bangalore. Born and brought up in Delhi, she is exploring her interests in the areas of writing