NGT’s order on odd even rule

Why in news?

National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Delhi government to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme.

What is the odd-even scheme of Delhi?

• Odd- even vehicle rule was implemented in 2015 in order to control pollution.
• The odd-even rule will mean that cars running with number plates ending in even numbers like 0, 2,4,6,8 will be allowed to run on even days.
• The odd-even rule earlier exempted certain cars and vehicles which include all ambulances, hybrid and electric vehicles, VVIP and embassy vehicles, cars driven by women drivers, and two wheelers.
• Vehicles running on CNG will also be exempt from the odd-even rules.
• Vehicles not complying with the odd-even scheme will be heavily fined with Rs 2,000.
• The fines will be collected on the spot so as to avoid vehicle impounds.
• Recently Delhi government announced this scheme was to remain in force from November 13 to 17

What are NGT’s decisions on odd-even scheme?

• Recent weeks had encountered dangerously high levels of pollution in Delhi, now the particulate matter levels began reducing.
• The air quality index was still in the severe category, but down to 403, from 486 as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
• Earlier the NGT questioned Delhi government to give justifications on implementation of the scheme, as the pollution level started to fall.
• Now the NGT directed the Delhi government to implement the scheme, but on a condition that there would be “no exemption to any person, officer or individual, including two-wheelers from the odd even scheme”.
• Delhi government has also announced that this time it will not be exempting women drivers from following the odd-even plan as the Green Court questioned the logic behind the same.

• The emergency services vehicles like ambulances and fire brigades were exempted from the scheme.

Why two wheelers are not exempted this time?

• Two-wheelers contributing 20% of vehicular pollution, the NGT observed.
• The two-wheelers are much more in number than other class of vehicles.
• They emit serious pollutants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon which are not emitted or negligibly emitted by the petrol vehicles.

Source: The Hindu