#OddEven did not result in “substantial improvement” of air quality says National Green Tribunal

The Odd-Even scheme, a subject of multiple litigation in the Delhi High Court, is now being discussed in the National Green Tribunal. The principal bench in Delhi, led by ex-Supreme Court judge Swatanter Kumar J., has now ruled that the scheme did not result in any “substantial improvement” in air quality..In the course of hearing a petition filed by one Mahendra Pandey, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee submitted a report to the NGT on the particulate matter levels during the days when odd-even scheme was going on. The DPCC was represented by advocate Tarunvir Singh Khehar..These findings have been reproduced by the green tribunal in an order passed on October 18..“The report that has been placed on record on behalf of the DPCC shows that PM 2.5 levels were much higher during the period when odd-even programme was enforced PM 2.5 was 400 µg/m3 while during the odd-even implementation period it was ranging from 600 to 700 µg/m3. Similarly, PM10 was higher during the relevant period and went up to 1200 µg/m3. The situation was not different in relation to NO2, CO, O3, SO2, C6H6, NH3.”.A similar finding was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board which was represented by advocate Alpna Poddar..Stating that the odd-even scheme has not led to any “substantial improvement” in the ambient air quality, the tribunal has clearly stated that other polluting contributing factors need to be paid greater attention. More specifically, the directions passed by the tribunal itself..“This would clearly shows that other pollutant contributing factors need to be paid greater attention, of course, the traffic on the roads of Delhi needs to be reduced by taking recourse to various measures that have already been directed to be taken by various authorities under the orders of the Tribunal including introduction of destination buses which could certainly help particularly the middle class and single driver from opting for destination buses rather than driving a car individually on highly congested roads of Delhi..Other incentive which was required to be provided it appears that the Government has not taken any steps in this regard at this stage.”.The Court has now asked Delhi’s Chief Secretary to hold a meeting by October 28, and has sought a compliance report of sorts in connection with the various directions issued by the tribunal..“Let the Chief Secretary of Delhi hold a meeting within 10 days from today and seek a report from all concerned authorities in relation to implementation of directions issued by the Tribunal. The report that would be submitted to the Tribunal must state reason for non-compliance if any.”.The matter is now listed for November 16..Read the order below.