State government says the move will cut carbon emission by half.
AB Wire
The Delhi government on Friday decided to take a proactive but controversial step to curb the population that has been troubling the city for decades. Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal has announced that odd and even number private vehicles will ply on alternate days starting from the New Year, a restriction tried and tested in Beijing.
The restriction imposed on cars essentially means starting from January 1, 2016, private vehicles ending with odd numbers will be allowed to commute on certain days and those ending with odd numbers will be allowed on roads rest of the days.
The decision to impose the restriction on Delhi’s vehicles was taken by Kejriwal during a cabinet meeting. The new restriction will not be applicable to CNG-based buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws.
The controversial move has already raised many eyebrows, but the Delhi government says it will reduce the carbon emission from the city almost half.
According to estimates, close to 1,000 cars get registered in the capital city each day adding more pollutants to already high pollution level. Delhi has the highest number of cars in the country.
The state government also plans to increase the number of public transport in the city, said Chief Secretary KK Sharma.
A similar restriction was imposed in the Chinese capital in 2013 and when imposed in Delhi, it will affect 9 million vehicles in the union territory.
According to a The Times of India report, Delhi’s least polluted area was 50 percent more polluted than Beijing’s most polluted spot.
On Thursday, the Delhi High Court had directed the state and central governments to find a feasible action plan to reduce the pollution level of Delhi. It said that the pollution level of Delhi has reached “alarming” proportion and people are “living in a gas chamber”.
The court also said that dust particles and carbon monoxide emitted from vehicles are the two major polluting factors that have affected the union territory. It directed the state and central governments to ensure that no buildings or roads are constructed before ensuring dust and other polluting factors are minimised.