Odd-even scheme in Delhi ends today. Final call on its extension on Monday: Arvind Kejriwal
The odd-even scheme in Delhi will not be extended for now and a final call will be taken on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said as the road-rationing scheme that began on November 4 for 12 days ends today.
"Weather monitoring agencies have said that in the coming 2-3 days pollution levels will come down, so we will not extend odd-even scheme and cause any unnecessary inconvenience to the people," the Delhi Chief Minister said today.
"A final call on extending the odd-even scheme will be taken on Monday," he added.
Mr Kejriwal had earlier this week said that odd-even scheme may get extended if needed.
The odd-even scheme is a measure to fight local sources of pollution like dust, chimney and vehicular emissions, the Chief Minister said.
"On average, 30 lakh cars run on Delhi's roads every day. It certainly helps if the number is reduced to half. The primary reason for the rise in pollution in winters is stubble-burning in neighbouring states," he said, adding NASA's satellite imagery also establishes this.
He said Haryana has recorded a slight decline but Punjab has seen a massive jump in the number of farm fires.
The Delhi Chief Minister thanked the people of Delhi for making the odd-even scheme "successful".
"Authorities issued 250-300 challans every day, which is very less considering the population," he said.
Delhi has not seen much reduction in the air pollution level after the 12-day odd-even scheme, which was relaxed in between for three days from November 10-12 due to Sunday and Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary celebrations.
The Delhi air quality was recorded to be 464 at 1:30 pm today, falling in "severe" category for the fourth consecutive day.
A thick layer of toxic smog continues to engulf the national capital and has left people complaining of sore throat, itchy eyes, breathing problems and dry cough.
The schools in the national capital remained closed yesterday and today as the air quality hovered close to "emergency" levels.
The Supreme Court had earlier this month pulled up the Arvind Kejriwal-led government, questioning what it has achieved by implementing the odd-even scheme.
The top court has also sought pollution data from Delhi government and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from October till November 14 this year and from October 1 to December 31, 2018.