Why not restrict #Odd-Even rule to a week?, asks Delhi High Court

The Delhi HC today questioned the Delhi Government whether its controversial Odd-Even Scheme, aimed at combating the monstrous levels of pollution in the city, could be limited to a period of one week..This suggestion of the Bench was prompted by an array of petitions that were filed challenging the scheme. While some petitions specifically challenged the exemptions granted in the notification, most of the petitions challenged the validity of the Notification itself..A packed courtroom witnessed the hearing today before a Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Jayant Nath J. who accorded a patient hearing to all the eleven petitions listed before them, in a chronological order. Subsequent to hearing contentions of all the Petitioners, the Bench questioned Delhi Government’s counsel, Rahul Mehra, whether it was possible to confine the scheme to one week..“Based on this past week, you may have collected empirical data on the effect of this Scheme over pollution levels. Why can’t you use that to take appropriate measures? You also have to consider the inconveniences caused to so many people, more so when there is no alternative in the form of an effective public transport.”.When Mehra argued that the city had been termed as the most polluted city and these were ‘baby steps’ taken to combat the menace, the Bench further said,.“According to us, one week is enough to assess the situation. We do not disagree over the worsening environmental situation but this Scheme is also likely to cause more inconvenience to the public. Collate the data that you have for the past six days and give us a definite figure on the reduction of pollution.”.The Bench also wanted to know the status of taxis plying in the capital. When one of the Government counsels apprised the Court of another matter pertaining to diesel cabs pending before a different Bench and informed the current position, the Bench was surprised..“So diesel cabs continue to ply in the city? Is that not causing an increase in vehicular pollution?”, CJ Rohini asked sharply. She also instructed Mehra to take instructions on this aspect..Earlier, Mehra argued that the state was going ahead with this exercise for the welfare of the citizens..‘It maybe a political disaster [seeing the resistance towards the Scheme] but despite that, the Government wants to set the right example for the future citizens.’.However the Bench remained unfazed when it responded that it had not interfered with the State’s policy earlier even when multiple petitions against the rule had been filed in the previous month..“If so many people have come forward with their difficulties, then we have to consider that as well.” .After hearing marathon submissions from both sides, the Bench adjourned the matter till Friday by which time the government has to apprise the Court of the data collected on levels of pollution in the city in the first week of this month..The Government has also been directed to consider the possibility of confining the pilot project of fifteen days down to just one week.