New Delhi’s government has decided to restrict vehicle use for a week from November 13-20, 2023, to curb air pollution.
The city will implement the odd-even car rationing scheme, which allows cars with odd and even license plates to run on alternate days. Essential services vehicles and CNG vehicles will be exempted from the scheme.
The decision was made after the city’s air quality deteriorated significantly in recent days. The air quality index (AQI) reached “severe” levels in some parts of the city, with pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 exceeding safe levels.
Air pollution is a major problem in New Delhi, and it is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year. The city’s air quality is particularly bad during the winter months, when pollutants are trapped in the air by cold weather and fog.
The odd-even car rationing scheme has been implemented in New Delhi in the past, and it has been shown to be effective in reducing air pollution. However, the scheme has also been criticized for being inconvenient and for causing traffic congestion.
The New Delhi government has said that it is implementing the odd-even car rationing scheme as a temporary measure to curb air pollution. The government has also said that it is working on a long-term plan to improve the city’s air quality.
Here are some of the other measures that the New Delhi government is taking to improve air quality:
- Promoting the use of public transportation and electric vehicles
- Planting trees and developing green spaces
- Cracking down on illegal burning of garbage and crop stubble
- Tightening emissions standards for vehicles and industries
The New Delhi government’s efforts to improve air quality are welcome. Air pollution is a serious problem in the city, and it is important to take steps to reduce it. The odd-even car rationing scheme is a temporary measure, but it is a step in the right direction.