Delhi Govt says if neighbouring states implement the scheme, it will cut down on emissions entering Capital
The Delhi government on Tuesday told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that neighboring states must also implement the Odd-Even road rationing scheme in order to cut down on pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.
The Delhi government's transport department said this in the second review petition filed by it on Tuesday to represent its case on Odd-Even. The court had turned down the first review application of the government.
"The Odd-Even scheme is one of the measures to be taken during 'emergency' levels of air pollution under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The set guidelines are also applicable to the NCR, where pollution levels are even higher than Delhi," said a senior Delhi government official.
Besides the official said, just beyond the boundary of Delhi extending to NCR towns vehicular traffic causes as much emissions as in the city.
"Pollution is not limited to boundaries. On a daily basis a large number of vehicles cross through the capital from Noida and Gurgaon, if the state governments also implement the scheme, it will help cut down on emissions in a major way improving the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR. Most of the pollutants come to the city via UP, Haryana and Punjab, these states must think of ways for reducing pollution levels," the official said.
Besides, the government presented its defence on allowing exemptions on two-wheelers and women drivers in the Green court.
"There are over 68 lakh two-wheelers in the city, which if not exempted, around 25 lakh will be on roads every day. In order to accommodate the others, the government will need at least 2,500 buses, which are not present with us right now," the petition stated.
The department also defended its exemption to women drivers citing safety issues, as "women will not feel comfortable in overcrowded public transit."
"Women drivers will not feel comfortable commuting in heavily crowded public transport buses. The problem of shortage of public transport will be largely solved within a year," the plea stated.
The department requested the NGT to exempt two-wheelers and women drivers for a year or till 2000 buses are engaged for the third round of 'odd-even' scheme.
AIR QUALITY IN DELHI-NCR
Delhi 308 very poor
Ghaziabad 467 severe
Gurugram 355 very poor
Noida 410 severe
Faridabad 348 very poor
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