Odd-even scheme to return in Delhi? Arvind Kejriwal hints after air quality index dips

Delhiites might once again have to undergo the practice of ‘odd-even’ scheme as Arvind Kejriwal hinted the implementation of the odd-even scheme after Delhi’s air pollution levels deteriorated.

The car rotation scheme was first introduced in Delhi in 2015. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Delhiites might once again have to undergo the practice of ‘odd-even’ scheme as chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hinted the implementation of the car rationing scheme after Delhi’s air pollution levels touched the ‘severe category mark for the fourth consecutive day. According to a report by news agency ANI, the Delhi government is taking various steps to curb the air pollution issue in the national capital.  "New 3,000 eco-friendly buses will soon hit the streets in order to make the city much cleaner and greener. Our government is taking all preventive measures to fight against the pollution. We did a huge plantation of trees in Delhi," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. Speaking to the news agency, Kejriwal also said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government might reintroduce Odd-Even scheme in the national capital, if needed. “If the need arises, we will soon implement the odd-even scheme in the capital,” he said. The car rotation scheme was first introduced in Delhi in 2015 and enforced twice in 2016 between Jan 1 to Jan 15 and April 15 to April 30. Under the scheme, vehicles having odd and even number plates are allowed to operate on alternate days in order to reduce the pollution level in a particular area. The odd-even scheme is a part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), emergency measures implemented in phases to combat air pollution. On December 22, Delhi's air quality touched the 'severe' category follow which the pollution level was recorded its second highest this year with an Air Quality Index or AQI of 450. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered to be under control, 51 and 100 as satisfactory, under 101 and 200 as moderate, under 201 and 300 to be poor, between 301 and 400 as very poor and between 401 and 500 as severe. Anything above that is considered as hazardous. Even the state-run SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) has claimed that overall air quality in the national capital will remain severe till Tuesday due to unusually stagnant and cold air. Delhi comes under the category of worse cities of the world for its air pollution levels. In a health advisory, the SAFAR has asked Delhiites not to rely on common dust masks for protection.