Mumbai: The top court observed that the odd-even road rationing scheme in Delhi could have been effective in reducing pollution in the national Capital if no exemptions were provided under its rules. “In cities where odd-even worked, there were no exceptions,” Justice Deepak Gupta said. At present, women and people using two-wheelers are exempted from the scheme. SC had also named this scheme as the ‘ half baked ‘ scheme. In spite of such schemes, the pollution level is not Deteriorating.
Advocate Mukul Rohtagi, representing Delhi government, stubble burning is the main cause of the pollution and if the certain exemption is removed it will help. “We are trying to work it out further. If two-wheelers are not allowed, the city will come to a standstill,” he said.
The SC pulled the AAP government and asked the effect of the scheme on the Delhi air pollution. They said, “Delhi is suffering badly, the AQI is almost 600 even today. How do people breathe?” Further, they added, “Even Delhi government’s affidavit says we have not conducted such study on the odd-even. It’s a halfway solution, either it’s full odd-even or no odd-even, there has to be no exemption. We don’t know whether it’s really working or not.”
The court had also asked for the roadmaps to install the towers of Air purifier that can reduce the pollution in the air. The centre is working on this tower.
From last two days, the pollution was at a severe level and the school, college and various department were closed and people are requested to stay at their home. But today it’s the third consecutive day that the pollution level is at severe category. It was said that the pollution will decrease from 16 Nov as the fresh strong winds are to appear and can remove the pollution.
The bench sought to see satellite images of the places where stubble burning was still taking place. “Show us images from today and yesterday,” the bench said. “Has there been compliance with our previous order?” The bench was told that there are still 30 “hotspots” where stubble burning is being carried on.
On Friday, the court asked the counsel for the Punjab government whether farmers had been compensated after the ban on crop burning. The lawyer said compensation worth Rs 90 crore has been provided to farmers. He added that the state government is monitoring the situation.
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