Picture : Twitter / ANI
As Delhi battles air pollution and the city under smog , Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has stated that the Delhi government will decide on extension of the odd-even scheme on November 18. The scheme which began on November 4 ended on November 15.
Kejriwal held a press conference where he said, “As per weather forecast, air quality in Delhi will improve in the next 2-3 days. If the air quality doesn’t improve, we will take a decision on extending odd-even vehicle scheme on November 18.”
Meanwhile , Supreme Court has again sought presence of Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi after it observes that the states failed to take effective steps to deal with air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, on November 29.
Delhiites woke up to a rather thick blanket of smog on Friday. Air quality in the city has dipped to ‘severe-plus’ level. November 15 is the third consecutive day of Delhi’s dipping air quality. Friday is the last and final day of 12-day odd-even car rationing scheme.
Air quality in several areas of the city was recorded at severe categories. AQI at Pusa Road was at 777, while it was 930 at Dwarka Sector 8. AQI at Sri Aurobindo Marg was 733, 757 at Ashok Vihar, 610 at Jahangirpuri, 808 at Narela, 865 at Bawana, 722 at Okhla, 765 at Rohini.
The SC also pointed out on the Odd- Even scheme, It said that the #OddEven may not be a permanent solution, especially when Central Pollution Control Board says cars constitute 3 per cent of pollution levels. Garbage dumping, construction wastes & road dusts are also major contributors to the pollution levels.
He had earlier stated that the scheme could be extended “if need arises”. “If the need arises, we will extend it,” Kejriwal had said to media.
