Odd-even scheme to be enforced in Delhi from November 13-20: Gopal Rai

Pic/AFP

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Monday that the odd-even car rationing scheme will be enforced in the city from November 13 to 20 as a measure to combat air pollution, reported news agency PTI.

Rai made the announcement during a press conference in Delhi. "The odd-even scheme will come into effect in Delhi after Diwali, running from November 13 to November 20. A decision to extend the scheme will be made after November 20," he said, reported PTI.

The odd-even scheme permits cars to operate on alternate days based on their odd or even number plates.

Rai also said that to prioritise the health of schoolchildren, the government has decided to suspend in-person classes in all schools, except for students of grades X and XII preparing for board exams, reported PTI.

Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, worsened from 415 on Saturday to 454 on Sunday, prompting the Centre to implement all emergency measures mandated under the final Stage IV of its air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), reported PTI.

According to a 2018 study conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute, vehicular emissions contribute to roughly 40 percent of the PM 2.5 pollution in the national capital.

The minimum temperature in the city settled below the season's average at 13.5 degrees Celsius on Monday.
The relative humidity at 8.30 am stood at 98 per cent, reported PTI.

The weather office has forecast a mainly clear sky for the day with the maximum temperature expected to settle at 31 degrees Celsius, reported PTI.

The air quality in several parts of the city continued to be in the severe and severe plus category.

The air quality index (AQI) stood at 437 at 9.05 am. The AQI at Shadipur, ITO, Siri Fort, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Delhi University stations was recorded at 438, 400, 430, 462, 469 and 454 respectively.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-450 severe. An AQI above 450 falls in the severe plus category.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has called for a high-level meeting on the rising pollution levels in the city.

(With inputs from PTI)