Delhi odd-even rule to make comeback: Five big things you need to know
- The Odd-Even traffic management rule will be back in Delhi in a bid to bring down vehicular emissions in the city.
Delhi motorists will once again have to follow the Odd-Even road traffic management rule post Diwali in the wake of rising pollution levels in the city. The decision to bring back the contentious Odd-Even road traffic management system was taken on Monday afternoon after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Delhi and adjoining areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) have seen air quality crumble to toxic levels with PM2.5 in many parts going well over the dreaded 500 mark. This is deemed as ‘Severe’ by weather monitoring agencies.
A large chunk of the blame for Delhi's polluted air is pinned by many on vehicular emissions and while there was a ban on entry of BS 3 and BS 4 vehicles in into the city, unless carrying essential items, a decision to bring back the Odd-Even vehicle rationing system has now been taken and will come into place post Diwali which is on November 12.
Here are the five big things to know about the Odd-Even rule in Delhi
The Odd-Even road traffic management rule will be enforced in Delhi from November 13 (Monday) and will be in effect till November 20 (Monday). The decision was confirmed by Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
The Odd-Even rule for vehicles in Delhi was previously implemented in 2016, 2017 and 2019. Experts remain divided on the benefits of the rule on curbing pollution although there is a general consensus that it does help in bringing down traffic congestion.
The Odd-Even traffic rule refers to a system under which vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit are allowed to ply on alternate days of the week. Vehicles with registration numbers ending with an even digit are allowed on roads on the other alternate days of the week. In the past, Sunday has been kept open for traffic movement of all vehicles.
In the past, Delhi government has allowed electric vehicles (EVs) and CNG vehicles to operate on all days of the week. But CNG vehicles were eventually also included in the Odd-Even rule in 2019. Emergency vehicles, vehicles carrying essential goods and those belonging to certain sections of the political, police, judicial, administrative and similar circles have been included in the exempted list in the past.
Also check these Cars
40 kWh
150 Km
3996.0 cc
Petrol
Delhi minister Gopal Rai has said that an assessment of the air quality will be done on November 20 and any decision on whether the Odd-Even rule should be extended or not will be taken accordingly.
