The odd-even scheme for private cars in Delhi, expectedly, has proved controversial. That Delhi is among the more polluted cities in the country is undeniable, though air pollution not being measured in countless small towns and kasbas is no cause to give them the benefit of the doubt.
A vast majority of Indians are only now beginning to be vaguely aware of the environmental concerns. Yet, since they began using the pollution meter in Delhi and other big metros, it is confirmed that the particulate matter in the air in the national capital is far in excess of the permissible limits for clean and healthy air. The problem of bad air gets further aggravated in the winter months due to the resulting fog and smog, making both visibility and clean air a liability.
The National Green Tribunal, on its part, too has taken incremental steps to attack the clear and present sources of pollution. For instance, it has ordered action against polluting industries, sought to check the plying of old and creaky diesel vehicles, made a brave attempt to regulate the entry of heavy diesel trucks in Delhi, etc.
It was, however, following the remarks of a senior Supreme Court bench about the rising pollution levels in the capital that the Delhi Government chose to implement the odd-even idea on a trial basis. From January 1 to 15, privately owned four-wheeled vehicles could run on alternate days, with the last digit in the registration number determining the odd- or even-numbered vehicle. Violators were liable to be fined Rs.2,000. A number of categories were exempt. All means of public transport, including auto-rickshaws, CNG, diesel or petrol taxis, etc., were exempt.
The bus and metro services were to be augmented during the fifteen days to meet the additional pressure of commuters. Junior schools were ordered closed during the pendency of the experiment. An expensive print and television advertisement campaign was launched to popularise the odd-even scheme.
On January 1, there was a noticeable change on the Delhi roads. Compliance was high with only a handful of violators. Car-owners did not mind doing their bit for cleaning the capital’s highly polluted air. Unfortunately, after full seven days, there seems to have been no change in the quality of air in the capital.
In fact, it continues to be as bad, if not worse, in spite of the odd-even scheme. If you read the Air Quality Index which a number of newspapers in the capital now publish daily, relying on the government-monitored air meters, particulate matter in all parts of the capital was several times in excess of the desirable limits.
The experiment has failed to make difference. Hearing a PIL challenging the scheme, a bench of the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Government to produce data on air pollution so that it could decide whether or not there was any need to prolong the experiment any longer. Environmental experts have blamed the direction and velocity of wind for the seeming failure of the odd-even experiment.
However, the fact that privately owned four-wheeled vehicles accounted for less than ten percent of the total air pollution, whereas major culprits were autos and taxis, two-wheelers and, of course, buses and trucks, was ignored by the Kejriwal Government.
In fact, the autos and taxis had a field day during the pendency of the scheme due to the immobilisation of half of the privately-owned cars. Also, building construction activity, industrial units within the city limits, dirty roads, fumes from the diesel vehicles, unscientific disposal of farm waste, et al were major creators of bad air.
Private car-owners tended to be far more mindful of the environmental concerns, getting their car engines regularly serviced and tuned. Unless a holistic approach is adopted to fight growing environmental pollution, showy schemes such as Delhi’s odd-even will only have symbolic impact on the quality of air.
But then the AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is all about media showmanship without displaying an iota of sincerity in bringing about real change.
Therefore, on Friday, when the Delhi High Court considers the air quality data since the implementation of the odd-even experiment, it is hoped it would not hesitate to order an early end to the scheme. It has proved a wasteful infliction on the people in the capital.
Terminating the scheme in the week ahead with a direction to the Delhi Government to do its homework before rushing to implement such publicity gimmicks will be in the fitness of things.
