The odd-even formula has helped reduce pollution in the national capital at peak hours, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government told the Delhi High Court on Friday.
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The odd-even scheme was launched 1 January to curb alarming rise in vehicular pollution. “The first few days of the programme have already demonstrated that peak pollution levels are lower than the normal smog peaks of the season despite the adverse weather conditions”, Salve said.
The Delhi government told the court that the odd-even formula is working and very well received by people.
The Delhi government’s latest advertisement on “odd-even” scheme featuring chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in “muffler-man” avatar, was on Thursday pilloried by the BJP and Congress for having “blatantly circumvented” the Supreme Court guidelines and violated the “spirit of law”.
“Harish Salve, who represented the Delhi Government in the court, today submitted a report in which the statistical figures were presented to show that there has been some improvement in pollution-level”.
He submitted a report of Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority which stated that pollution in Delhi this winter is four times beyond the safety standard. The bench reserved the verdict on a bunch of petitions challenging the scheme for January 11.
He said that a clampdown on using of cars was discriminatory as most pollution was caused by dust and the two-wheelers.
Salve said the scheme has also reduced traffic congestion, which contributes to air pollution. The odd-even rule was implemented on January 1 to check Delhi’s toxic air, which makes it one of the most polluted cities in the world.
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After hearing submissions made by both sides, the Bench said that it will pronounce its order on Monday.
