Delhi air pollution: NGT stops Kejriwal-govt from rolling out odd-even scheme without proof of effectiveness

A few minutes after Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot announced free bus service during odd-even scheme days, the the National Green Tribunal (NGT) hit out at the Arvind Kejriwal-led government on its decision to implement the Odd-Even scheme from November 13 in pretext of curbing pollution levels in the National capital.

The NGT in a review meeting on Friday directed the Delhi government to produce details of air quality during earlier odd-even days before rolling out the scheme. The tribunal also questioned the government on it’s decision to implement odd-even scheme despite CPCB and DPCC reports which had stated the scheme to be ineffective.

The NGT has directed the Delhi government not to implement the odd-even rules till they establish that the scheme can counter pollution.

The NGT lashing the Delhi government said, “Nothing has been done from your end for the past one year. The Supreme Court and NGT had suggested 100 measures to curb pollution but you opted odd-even scheme.”

The NGT added, “You should have done this earlier. When situation is improving, the government is trying to implement the odd-even scheme. This will cause inconvenience.”

The odd-even scheme was scheduled to be rolled out in Delhi for five days from November 13  to November 17.