NGT questions odd-even logic

You (Delhi govt) have not followed 99 directions and introduced the odd-even scheme and treating it as a picnic

NGT bench

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday questioned the rationale of introducing odd-even car rationing scheme to battle air pollution by directing the Delhi government to submit data or studies on the basis of which it has planned to introduce the scheme for five days from November 13.

The green panel asked the AAP government why it was rolling out the scheme when reports by Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee had found that the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 pollutants were cumulatively higher when the scheme was implemented twice in 2016.

at around 617 as per latest CPCB data.

A bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar also directed the city government to submit the comparative ratio of emission caused by diesel and petrol vehicles and asked it to clearly enumerate the contribution of small petrol cars in pollution.

It also questioned the justification of exempting two-wheelers and women drivers during the oddeven scheme despite knowing that two-wheelers cause 46 per cent pollution, as per an IIT Kanpur report.

Following a plea by the AAP government, the green panel, however, allowed the industries engaged in essential services to operate in the DelhiNCR on the condition that they would not pollute and cause emissions. The hearing remained inconclusive and will continue on Saturday. The Delhi unit of BJP on Friday questioned Kejriwal government’s intention of fighting air pollution, saying that the city government is resorting to face-saving measures like odd-even to save its skin.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari alleged that due to the negligence of the Kejriwal government, air pollution has deteriorated a lot, turning the city into a gas chamber. He added it would not be wrong if one said that the situation is worse than what existed before the introduction of CNG vehicles in Delhi.

“We have no reservations towards the introduction of odd-even vehicle plying system, but the government does not seem to be sincere about it. It is surprising that the introduction of odd-even scheme was announced on the evening of November 9 while its implementation is to come into force on November 13. This four day delay has put questions on odd-even being called an emergency step,” said Mr Tiwari.

The Delhi BJP chief claimed that the Kejriwal government is trying to mislead the people and the court by saying that it would wash trees and plants, which everyone knows is practically impossible.

He added that people of Delhi know very well that dust is the biggest cause of air pollution in the city. However, the Kejriwal government is trying to pass the buck on crop residual burning in the neighbouring states and on vehicular pollution.

“Today, Delhiites want Kejriwal government to clarify what steps it has taken to control dust pollution and how many mechanical sweeping and dust engulfing machines it has bought for use in Delhi as directed by the Supreme Court,” Mr Tiwari said.

He also wanted to know how many new buses the Kejriwal government has bought for DTC in the last three years, or what efforts it has made to promote the use of electrical vehicles.

Above all, he wanted to know why it has delayed the financial sanction of the fourth phase of the Delhi Metro.