Delhi: Odd-Even Formula To Tackle Air Pollution? It Will Be The 'Last Weapon' Says Kejriwal Govt

In a bid to mitigate the environmental pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently introduced “Red Light On, Gadi Off” campaign and appealed to the people to turn off the engines of their vehicles while waiting at traffic signals.

(Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

Delhi Air Quality: As the national capital continues battling rising air pollution levels, residents expect an odd-even traffic rule like every year, however, the government has considered that as its last resort. With the onset of winter, the air quality of Delhi goes for a dip, mostly because of smog, when fog gets mixed up with other pollutants. Over the years, the odd-even formula has been used by the AAP government to check the situation, which occurs almost every year , owing to a stubble burning practices in adjoining states among other factors. However, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that an odd/even scheme would be the last resort and would be considered only when all other measures to control air pollution would fail. "We have implemented the Odd/Even scheme many times in Delhi. It would be our last resort and we'll think about its implementation if rest of the methods to curb the air pollution fails," Rai said at a press conference. The Minister's statement comes at a time when air pollution is on the rise in the national capital, owing in part to the stubble burning in nearby states and other reasons. In a bid to mitigate the environmental pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently introduced “Red Light On, Gadi Off” campaign and appealed to the people to turn off the engines of their vehicles while waiting at traffic signals. Earlier on Monday, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raghav Chadha on Monday took part in "Red Light On, Gadi Off" campaign to urge commuters to switch off the engines of their vehicles when they stop at a red light to reduce the vehicular emission in the national capital. Meanwhile, Rai also appealed to Centre and Union Minister Prakash Javadekar to hold meetings every 15 days with the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over the issue of pollution.