The second phase of Delhi’s odd-even traffic scheme aimed at battling pollution ended on Saturday evening with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal calling it a success.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal took to twitter on Saturday to congratulate the people of Delhi for the scheme’s “success”.
However, the Supreme Court wondered why the much-hyped scheme hasn’t been able to reduce pollution level.
“Why no difference is made out in pollution level in Delhi, even after steps have been taken like odd-even scheme, diversion of trucks from the national capital. What are the solutions?” a bench headed by Chief Justice T S Thakur asked while hearing a PIL filed in 1985 to check pollution levels.
Back in December 2015, when the first Odd-Even phase was announced, CJI Thakur had openly supported the scheme saying it can be followed “if it helps in reducing” the problem.
The bench on Saturday, said that earlier, the trucks used to ply through the centre of the national capital but now they have been diverted but still no difference seems to have been made in improving the ambient air quality.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi appearing for the automobile manufacturers said that there are several other factors which contribute to pollution which include road dust which is 38 per cent and industries which contribute 11 per cent.
“Unless we look and address the issue of real pollutant, nothing will seem to improve,” Singhvi said without commenting on the Odd-Even scheme.
The second phase of Odd-Even scheme started on April 15 under which vehicles with odd or even registration numbers ply on alternate days ended on Saturday.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that “the scheme was followed by 99.9 percent people.”
Rai added that according to an initial report of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), pollution levels came down at 55-60 places in inner Delhi but were comparatively high in the bordering areas.
(Feature image source: PTI / Reuters)