'Don't Blame Court After Failing To Perform': SC Pulls Up Delhi Govt On AQI, Orders Complete Ban On Farm Fires

Delhi Pollution News: The Supreme Court rapped the Delhi government, calling it to take action to curb pollution in Delhi. It also refused to issue an order to extend the odd-even scheme to cabs.

The odd-even policy was first introduced in 2016 by the Arvind Kejriwal government

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Delhi Pollution News: The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the Delhi government when it sought an order to extend the imposition of the odd-even rule on taxis as well. "Don't try to non-perform and shift the burden onto the court. Now you're making a hue and cry about how other people will be affected. Amicus has said odd-even does not help. Now, you want it for taxis," the Supreme Court asked the counsel for the Delhi government, according to legal news website Live Law.

"We had asked how do taxis come into Delhi... They said we'll introduce odd-even in this also. They said they're going to wait for SC order. But what does SC order have to do with this," said Justice SK Kaul. Earlier this week, Justice Kaul cast doubts on the efficacy of the odd-even scheme and called it "optics". 

The court's observation came after the Delhi government, through an affidavit, said its odd-even vehicle rationing scheme to curb emissions reduced road congestion and fuel consumption. 

In its affidavit, the Delhi government said there was a decrease of about 6 per cent vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) during the odd-even scheme period, as per an analysis. The government said it also led to an estimated 15 per cent decrease in fuel consumption on average day during the odd-even scheme period.

Citing a DIMTS report, the government said the policy had a positive impact on the reduction of air pollution contributed by vehicles, besides reduction of congestion on Delhi roads. The report found the policy also led to an increase in the use of public transport during the odd-even drive.

The odd-even policy to reduce air pollution in the national capital was first introduced in 2016 by the Arvind Kejriwal government. The scheme entails vehicles having number plates ending with odd numbers plying on odd-numbered dates, and vice versa.

Reacting to the AQI dropping due to the late-night and morning showers in Delhi on Friday, Justice Kaul said: "God may have heard the prayers of people and intervened, no thanks to the government." The court also ordered all the states involved — Punjab Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, and UP —to take steps to prevent stubble burning. "Carrot and stick is up to you. Farm fires must stop," the court said.

"Though previous order was focused on Punjab, it is applicable to all concerned States. Now there is also technology to examine farm fires. This Court's function is to examine the executive while methodology is up to the government. Long term measures are also required including on cultivation of paddy," the court said in its order on Friday, posting the matter for hearing again on November 21.