The Delhi government made the decision on Monday to reinstate the odd-even rule from November 13 to November 20 due to worries about the quality of the air declining. Following a high-level meeting, Delhi Environment, Forest, and Wildlife Minister Gopal Rai informed the media that the decision will take effect one day after Diwali, which is observed on November 12, and last for a week. He stated that a choice about expanding the odd-even rule would be made at a later time.
“In view of air pollution, the odd-even vehicle system will be applicable for one week from 13th to 20th November…,” Gopal Rai said.
He said there is a possibility that the wind speed will increase on November 7, 8 which is expected to reduce the level of pollution.
“As per the forecast, the wind speed will be 12km/hour tomorrow, 7th November and if the speed reaches 10 to 12 km/hour, then there is a possibility that the level of pollution accumulated here might disperse. Similarly, the wind speed will be 8-10 km/hour on 8th November. It is expected that the speed of wind will increase on November 7 and 8 November which will reduce the level of pollution…,” he said.
The Delhi government has implemented a traffic rationing scheme called odd-even scheme, which permits vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd digits on odd dates and even digits on even dates. The System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR-India) reported that the National Capital’s air quality was 488 today, up from 410 the previous day. In order to stop the further deterioration of the air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided on Sunday to implement Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) throughout the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.
