Odd-Even Scheme "Unnecessary," Union Minister Gadkari Dismisses Kejriwal's Idea To Combat Pollution

Gadkari's remarks came immediately after Delhi CM Kejriwal announced bringing back the odd-even practice from November 4 to 15, for vehicles plying on the roads of the national capital, to tackle the rising menace of pollution just around the time of Diwali.

Nitin Gadkari refuted the Delhi govt's odd-even schemes for vehicles as "unnecessary".

New Delhi:  Union Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday rejected Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s decision of implementing the odd-even vehicle scheme in Delhi dubbing it as an "unnecessary" move. Gadkari said that the ring road built by the Transport Ministry has contributed significantly in reducing the pollution level of the region. “No I don't think it is needed. The Ring Road we have built has significantly reduced pollution in the city,” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “Our planned schemes will free Delhi of pollution in the next two years,” he said. His remarks came immediately after Delhi CM Kejriwal announced bringing back the odd-even practice  from November 4 to 15, for vehicles plying on the roads of the national capital, to tackle the rising menace of pollution just around the time of Diwali.

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Odd-Even scheme: No I don't think it is needed. The Ring Road we have built has significantly reduced pollution in the city and our planned schemes will free Delhi of pollution in the next two years. (ANI) pic.twitter.com/xmtX3eFdU0

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"If you enforce Odd-Even for a long time, the implementation becomes troublesome. As of now, Odd-Even will only be restricted to this time frame," said Kejriwal. Emergency vehicles will not be subject to this, he said. He also asserted that Supreme Court guidelines during Diwali on fircrackers will be sternly enforced. Kejriwal also urged people of Delhi to take part in plantation drives. He also announced that the Delhi government will distribute pollution masks to people to prevent them from inhaling the polluted air.