Introduction: “Delhi” being the capital of India has always been a centre of attraction and is developing at a very great pace. But among that we cannot overlook the part that delhi has been the most pollutant state. In addition, it was found that air pollution in Delhi is 10 times the WHO safe limits. So, in order to get rid of this situation the Delhi Government emerged with an idea of this odd-even scheme. The Delhi government proposed rule to run vehicles with odd and even numbers on alternate days commencing from December 4. So, before going in further detail we should firstly know about what this odd-even scheme is all about. The AAP cabinet announced that private vehicles will be allowed to run across the city based on their registration numbers. For example, if a vehicle’s registration number ends with an odd digit, it will be allowed on the road on January 1, while that ending with an even number can be driven on the second, and so on.
History: This system was implemented in Beijing in 2008 just before the summer Olympics. While the rule was initially said to be temporary, it turned out to be so effective that the government made it permanent. Similar road-rationing rules are imposed in many places around the world like Paris, Mexico and Bogota to curb road jams and pollution.
Features: There are some key features of this scheme which are required for its functioning. As per this scheme for the period of 15 days, odd numbered cars will be allowed on odd dates and even numbered cars on even from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm. On Sundays, there will be an exception and all cars will be allowed to ply on the streets. And fine of Rs 2,000 will be levied on those breaking this rule. Secondly, women, VIPs, CNG cars and two-wheelers and vehicles used for medical emergencies are among the 25 categories which have been exempted from the rule. Doctors and lawyers have not been exempted from the rule. To manage the traffic which will shift to public transport, the Delhi government has hired 3,000 private buses to manage the extra pressure on public transport. And thirdly, this system, therefore, will be applicable only on private-owned four wheelers running across Delhi, and on those coming in from other states. And that includes vehicles used by ministers and bureaucrats of all ranks.
Effects of odd-even scheme: The odd-even scheme was launched with a purpose to reduce the pollution. As discussed earlier, according to the plan cars with odd-numbered license plates could be driven on odd dates and even-numbered ones on even dates. The basic idea was to halve the number of cars in the capital which will in turn reduce the emission from the vehicles.
Council on Energy Environment and Water (CEEW), an independent think-tank in Delhi, in collaboration with the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPI), measured air quality and traffic volumes and recorded the results which are:
- The average air pollution levels increased in the first week of January in comparison to the previous week of the year.
- The daily average number of vehicles increased by 10% during the first two weeks of January in comparison to the last week of December. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in 2-wheelers.
- The number of private cars on the road, however, did not reduce in comparison to the last week of December of the same year.
Was there lesser pollution? The answer to this question does not seem to be easy at all due various reasons. Firstly, Vehicular pollution is not the main contributor in Delhi and the number of vehicles is far too high, and add to that those that enter Delhi from the adjoining cities of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, even with just an odd or even number, there are still far more than a city should have running on the roads at any time. Fourthly, most of the pollution meter still showed PM (particulate matter) levels way above permissible limit and having said that, however, the very fact that thousands of vehicles were not stranded in long jams as they idled their engines, spewing toxic/noxious emissions in the air, means it is that much less pollution.
Conclusion: Delhi government deserves credit for thinking of the scheme. If nothing else, it made all others sit up and take notice. The very fact that several other state/city administrations, across political spectrum, are willing to experiment with the scheme shows that all realise the importance of steps to control pollution. However, all of it would succeed only if we ourselves recognize the gravity of the situation and change ourselves. Governments can only do as much; we ourselves have to understand that for our own good, and for the good of our kids and future generations, we have to change.
Opinion: More other stricter conditions are required than just the odd-even scheme, for we seem to take things for granted and always expect the other to do right so that our future is secure. There is a lot that has been written about and is documented, but if I were to be asked what comes to my mind is to promote Non-Motorised-Transport for short commutes. This is something that is so simple and easy. Far too many people use cars to commute short distances. They could easily switch to using public transport, or even bicycles. Ensure roads are well-maintained. So many places witness jams because a sudden poor stretch slows everyone and government should also bolster public transport.
SHUBHANGI GUPTA
NIRMA UNIVERSITY