Contemplating 'The Odd-Even Scheme' in Delhi...

 

Road-rationing had been implemented in some countries like Mexico, Columbia, Chile, Brazil, France and China to curb pollution. In 1989, Mexico introduced "hoy no circula" which  roughly means "today [your car] does not circulate", Beijing introduced odd- even scheme and claimed that vehicular emissions reduced by 40 percent. Expecting the same results Delhi’s CM Mr. Arvind Kejriwal promulgated “The Odd- Even Plan” to control the ever increasing pollution, which saw active participation by Delhites.

According to this plan odd-numbered cars ran on odd days and even-numbered cars on even days. Two wheelers, CNG vehicles, women, VIP’s etc. were exempted under the plan. To contemplate its effectiveness we need to first understand the causes of this extreme pollution in the capital. Pollution is the deterioration of air by particulate matter (PM) which comprises of aerosols, ashes, smoke, smog etc. PM 2.5 can easily penetrate through your respiratory system, which not only causes hazardous diseases but also leads to the birth of premature babies. Vehicular-emissions obviously is one of the causes but is not the only cause. Many industries and factories add to the pollution, fireworks in Diwali and bonfires in winters, deforestation to urbanize and industrialize the capital are also some of the causes. Road-rationing, checks on industries, educating people, afforestation and developing new technologies to control pollution, steps in this order can be taken to solve the problem.

Odd- Even scheme imposed in Delhi has helped to some extent curb the PM 2.5, despite a long list of exemptions. But it has fulfilled its motives by introducing lots of insights to be examined before its complete promulgation. For instance pollution reduction by 25 % an insight to check if the exemption of 2 wheelers, which contribute to 30 % of air pollutants a good choice, congestion control and time-saving while travelling is another good insight to keep this formula active with some improvements, inconveniences to the commuters and recommended solutions for it, although this was taken care of by the government by adding 3000 buses to its bus force. These all insights will certainly help the authorities take calculated steps to control pollution.

Finally, some cognizance among the public is required to keep trust on the government and also understand their duties towards a healthy environment. Many of them talked about the inconvenience caused due to the plan but isn’t some inconvenience welcomed for a better tomorrow. Bonfires and fireworks, despite extreme pollution levels is no intelligence. On the top of it forwarding messages on WhatsApp as below:

“What happens to a person going for movie at multiplex during last show at 10 pm in Delhi and is supposed to return at 1 AM. Which numbered car does he drive odd or even?

Next IIM or IAS question”

Though joke!! But jokes make more sense if the joker understands the context properly. Odd- Even plan was in place from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.