What is the Odd-Even Scheme the Delhi Government Plans to Reintroduce?

The government of Delhi has taken strict steps to prevent increasing air pollution during winter. The Atishi government of Delhi has decided to ban firecrackers this year as well. At the same time, the big thing is that the odd-even rule may also be implemented in Delhi soon, preparations have started for this.

Last year also, the Kejriwal government of Delhi banned firecrackers to control air pollution. However, this ban is not applicable as of today. The rule will come into force only after the notification is issued, which will remain in force till January 1, 2025.

Under the odd-even scheme, vehicles whose last digit of the registration number is even are allowed to ply on roads on even dates such as 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc. Similarly, vehicles whose last digit of the registration number is odd are allowed to ply on odd dates such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 etc.

Only odd-numbered vehicles were allowed to ply on roads from 8 am to 8 pm on odd days, while even-numbered vehicles were allowed on even days during the same period. Those who violated this rule were fined ₹2,000. Special arrangements were made to make the scheme a success, such as additional buses, bike taxi service and increased frequency of metro.

In the previous phases of the scheme, two-wheelers, vehicles driven only by women, CNG, hybrid and electric vehicles, emergency vehicles and VIPs were exempted from this rule in Delhi. Politicians, Supreme Court judges and defence vehicles, single women drivers and women drivers with children below 12 years were also exempted from the Odd-even scheme.

The odd-even scheme was first introduced in 2016 by the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government to control vehicular pollution and reduce rising particulate matter levels. Under it, private vehicles whose registration plates had odd last digits could ply on odd dates, and vehicles with even numbers could ply on even dates.

Did the odd-even scheme work?

According to a study conducted by the Delhi Technological University in 2016, when the scheme was implemented for about two weeks, a drop in PM 2.5 and PM 1 concentrations was observed. Studies also showed that on average, PM 2.5 decreased by 5.73% and PM 1 by 4.70%. The university had conducted the study in three different corridors of the city - Pitampura (Madhuban Chowk), Panchkuian Road and Najafgarh Road."

What is the Delhi Government’s new action plan?

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has announced a winter action plan to tackle air pollution. A 21-point action plan will be implemented to tackle air pollution during winter in the national capital Delhi. Gopal Rai said, "To control air pollution, the states around Delhi and the central government need to work together. There has been a 34.6 percent reduction in air pollution between 2016 and 2023. Long-term plans like afforestation in Delhi helped in reducing air pollution." He further said that 2 crore trees were planted in the last 4 years, tree plantation policy helped, 7545 public transport buses are running on the roads of Delhi. The EV policy is proving to be successful. Delhi has shut down its thermal power plant, but similar plants are still running in NCR states. Gopal Rai also said that the Delhi government is preparing for odd-even. This plan will be implemented only as an emergency measure.