Delhi: Amid choking air pollution in Delhi-NCR where a clear sky seems a dream, the Delhi government has announced its odd-even formula for vehicles. This formula will be enacted from November 13 and will continue till November 20 as of now.
Also, schools in Delhi are to remain shut until November 10, exceptions are class 10th and 12th who are going to appear for the board examinations the next year.
This odd-even formula has been announced today, soon after the fourth and final stage of GRAP was announced yesterday considering the air quality of the capital in the ‘severe plus’ category.
Here’s what happened at GRAP 4th:
- Entry of trucks is banned in the region except for CNG/LNG trucks and those involved in essential services.
- Delhi-registered diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles are also banned.
- Physical classes till 9th standard and 11th standard are restricted and an online class can be initiated.
The odd-even formula was initiated by Arvind Kejriwal a few years back considering the pollution in Delhi. When first launched in 2015, it became a subject of discourse for its implementation, complications, and repercussions. Analysts kept wondering to what extent is it going to benefit the capital region.
But after a span of 10 days, it was appreciated in India and became a focal point across the world.
In this formula, one may drive, or take a ride on vehicles with only odd number plates on odd dates and only even number plates on even dates. This reduces the number of vehicles on streets and hence adds to lessening the pollution.
Meanwhile, stubble burning is at its peak in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. Under such situations, what benefit the odd-even formula can bring to the residents of Delhi, remains unanswered.
