Delhi's odd-even scheme may beat the odds by evening out pollution

Claiming that one week, or even two, is not enough to determine the success of the odd-even plan, the Delhi government on Friday announced it may extend the scheme for an additional week to analyse its effects.

The AAP government stating that the scheme has had a definite positive effect, feels that it may need to extend the scheme beyond 15 days. Transport minister Gopal Rai who was present in court stated, "Let us see what happens after 15 days, after which we will decide."

Appearing before a packed courtroom, senior advocate Harish Salve presented the requested data to a bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayanth Nath. Referring to a report prepared by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) for NCR, the pollution levels in November and December 2015 were at an all time high, which prompted the AAP government to implement the Odd-Even Scheme.

According to Salve, vehicular pollution during this period has seen a downward trend and smog episodes during this programme were fewer in intensity proving that reduced traffic volume had arrested the pollution from peaking.

Defending the government's decision to implement the odd-even scheme, Salve argued that "The alarming levels of pollution during the winter months of November and December 2015 have necessitated an emergency action."

The bench, however, had its reservations and two main concerns - was a week not enough to analyse data on the pollution levels during the period the scheme was on; and has pollution decreased in this period. In response, Salve stated that one week was definitely not enough, and perhaps the government would "need longer, maybe extend the scheme by another week" to fully understand the results.

The petitioners, 12 in all, argued against the rationality of the scheme that included so many exemptions and loopholes. They collectively furnished data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Central Pollution Control Board that challenged the government's finding. Rajiv Khosla, one of the petitioners and also the president of the Delhi High Court Bar Association, argued, "The odd-even scheme is doing nothing but targeting a special class of vehicles. Trucks which at 46% and two-wheelers at 33% are the largest contributors towards the pollution levels are exempt from the scheme."

The bench, though considering the inconveniences the general public experienced due to the shortcomings of the city's public transport, noted, "The scheme has had a positive effect on the community since they the citizens seems to be participating and giving it (scheme) a chance."

Environmentalists and scientists are of the opinion that if the two-wheelers were banned and the Badarpur Plant shut during this odd-even scheme period, it would reflect better in the pollution levels.

Environmentalist Sunita Narain who was present in court and is one of the competent authorities from the EPCA agreed that "Every data shows the pollution levels are rising and we are not disputing that fact, however, the odd-even scheme has moderated the rise of the pollution levels." She went on to add that "EPCA has the analysed the same data presented by the petitioners and has made its inference. Even when conditions were favourable, the pollution levels were high, though, if one has to compare it during this period (odd-even scheme), it generally has a positive effect."

Salve, summed up his argument saying that "The odd-even scheme is an emergency action taken to combat air pollution. However, it is not the only step taken. It complements various other measures put forth by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and directives passed by the High Court and the Supreme Court."

Number of days in the severe category
November (2015) - November (2014)
73% - 53%
December (2015) - December (2014)
67% - 65%