Odd-even reduces: Amid debates about how well the odd-even plan reduces vehicle emissions, the Delhi government has told the Supreme Court that it has lessened traffic congestion.
On Thursday, the Delhi government reported to the Supreme Court that traffic congestion had decreased as a result of its odd-even vehicle emissions reduction scheme. The Delhi government’s affidavit was submitted two days after the Supreme Court referred to the odd-even program designed to reduce vehicle emissions in the capital as “optics.”
On Friday, the matter concerning air pollution in Delhi is scheduled to be heard by the top court.
The Delhi government cited a scientific study to support their claims that the odd-even scheme had a positive effect, increasing public transportation use and reducing fuel consumption by 15%.
It added that it has received over Rs 14 crore in environmental compensation fees since July of this year.
When the Delhi government, led by Arvind Kejriwal, was questioned by the court about why it had not completely outlawed taxis registered outside the city, the government replied that such a ban was not feasible. Restrictions based on fuel type and quantity, however, might be taken into account.
The Delhi government has postponed the implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme until the Supreme Court reviews its efficacy in reducing air pollution and issues an order in that regard, according to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court harshly criticized the Delhi government’s pollution control efforts on Tuesday, especially its well-known odd-even car rationing program, as dense smog enveloped the nation’s capital.
This was announced by the Delhi government one day earlier on Monday, in anticipation of further declines in the quality of the air after Diwali, and four years after the program’s inception.
Although odd-even has been tried in Delhi, has it ever worked? The bench of the Supreme Court had stated, “It’s all optics.”
Ratnavali