The Delhi High Court on Wednesday demanded data on how much pollution level has changed since the odd-even rule was implemented on Tuesday.
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the AAP government why the trial period for odd-even scheme was decided to go for 15 days.
The Court asked the government why it can't restrict odd-even scheme to a week, when the inconvenience was being caused to the public at large.
"You will have to admit that you don't have enough public transport to ferry public," the court said.
A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath fixed the matter for January 8 by when it has asked the government to get instructions on whether its pilot project can be reduced to a week instead of 15 days. The court has also demanded data on how much pollution level has changed between January 1 and January 7.
"In these six days you must have collected data related to pollution level, we think it's sufficient for you. You will have to think about inconvenience cause to public at large," the bench said, adding, "there is a practical difficulty." It also said that the court does not interfere with the policies but government must think about it as people are knocking its door complaining of inconvenience being caused.
"You (government) have to think about it. Your status report is vague and does not reveal much," the bench said, adding, "There is no sufficient public transport. Is it really necessary to have it for 15 days?"
The court's direction came on a batch of petitions filed by various individuals including lawyers who have challenged AAP goverment's December 28, 2015 notification bringing into force the scheme which allows private cars with odd-numbered plates to ply on odd-numbered dates and vice-versa.
While seeking quashing of the notification, a plea filed by Delhi High Court Bar Association President Rajiv Khosla sought explanation from Delhi government on what jurisdiction it has to fix a fine of Rs 2,000 without amendment in the Motor Vehicles Act.
The odd-even rule which was implemented in Delhi starting January 1 is expected to go on till January 15.
Monday proved to be a litmus test for the Delhi govt over this scheme as scores of people had a harrowing experience while commuting.
The Metros and DTC buses were flooded with people. Over 41 lakh commuters travelled by Delhi Transport Corporation buses in the national capital on Tuesday.
However, the Delhi government has claimed success of the odd-even scheme. It said that the cut in vehicular emission due to rolling out of the odd-even scheme has resulted "definitive decline" in levels of PM2.5 pollutants.
(With Agency Inputs)
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