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'Delhi is choking': Govt implements car rationing scheme

An odds and evens scheme has been temporarily introduced, with only cars with even number plates allowed on roads on Monday.

Neville Lazarus

India reporter and producer

Monday 4 November 2019 15:56, UK

A man wears a mask to protect himself from the smog
Image: People wear masks to protect themselves from the smog
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A car rationing scheme has been introduced in Delhi after an air emergency was declared in the Indian capital.

On Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at its highest so far this year, at over 900 points - a score of 500 qualifies as a "severe-plus" category.

An 'odd-even' system on private vehicles in Delhi is in place for two weeks
Image: Delhi is already the world's most polluted city

In comparison, in London on the same day, the air quality level was at around 50, which is classed as moderate.

On Monday the AQI levels fell substantially, but it is still almost 10 times above the permissible levels.

An air emergency has been declared in the Indian capital
Image: An air emergency has been declared in Delhi

The Delhi government has taken some tough measures to tackle the severe pollution, but the country's highest court has criticised officials, claiming not enough is being done.

The Supreme Court said: "Delhi is choking every year and we are not able to do anything.

"Every year this is happening and this continues for 10-15 days, this is not done in civilised countries. Right to life is most important".

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The case will be reviewed again on Wednesday.

Schools and colleges have been shut until Tuesday, while staggered working times have been introduced for government offices to reduce the movement of cars.

An odds and evens scheme has been implemented for private vehicles for the next two weeks, with only cars with either odd or even number plates allowed on the roads each day.

Hindu women worship the Sun god in the polluted waters of the river Yamuna, New Delhi
Image: Hindu women worship the Sun god in the polluted waters of the river Yamuna
Foreign tourists wear face masks while visiting the Taj Mahal in heavy smog
Image: Tourists wear face masks while visiting the Taj Mahal in heavy smog

It has been done before and has almost halved the private vehicles on the roads, cutting the numbers by almost 1.5 million cars.

Two-wheelers and electric vehicles have been exempt - as are cars driven only by women or those occupied by people with disabilities.

Anyone violating the scheme faces a fine, equivalent to around £44.

There are 200 traffic police to ensure drivers obey the rules, while a 5,000 strong volunteer group has been trained to spread awareness of the scheme.

200 traffic police have been deployed to enforce the rules
Image: 200 traffic police have been deployed to enforce the rules

Delhi's chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has appealed for motorists to follow it for the sake of their health and that of their children, urging them to share cars to "help increase friendship, build relationships, save petrol and reduce pollution".

But not everyone is happy about it, with one driver, Sagar Bajaj, 29, claiming it was a "huge inconvenience."

"I'm not going to make it on time for my meetings," he said, as he struggled to find a taxi, explaining that he normally drives to work, but his car's licence plate ends in an odd number - which have been banished from the roads today.

Ride-hailing services are exempt from the rule and both Uber and Ola have said they would not impose surge pricing for the duration of the scheme.

A policewoman wears a mask to protect herself from air pollution in New Delhi
Image: A policewoman wears a mask to protect herself

According to a study by the University of Chicago, the previous implementation of the scheme reduced pollution by 15%, but experts say this measure alone is not enough to stop the high levels of air pollution.

A combination of factors are causing Delhi's air problem, including the burning of paddy stubble after its harvest on farm lands in surrounding states of Punjab and Haryana.

Satellite images captured over 3000 farm fires a day, with states unable to convince farmers to stop burning their crops.

Farmers burning straw stubble after harvesting paddy crops is contributing to the crisis
Image: Farmers burning straw stubble after harvesting paddy crops is contributing to the crisis

Political parties and governments shy away from stringent measures that would antagonise a very large and influential vote bank.

Vehicle and dust pollution also adds to the high levels in the incoming winter season.

The Delhi government has banned all construction in the capital for the next few weeks.

A report entitled, "The State of global Air" published by the Health Effects Institute in 2017, stated that 1.2 million deaths in India are due to air pollution.

NGO, the Centre of Science and Environment, found 30% of all premature deaths in India were caused by air pollution - and it also claims foul air reduces the life expectancy of Indians by 2.6 years.

The pollution in Delhi is expected to dissipate as rainfall and strong winds are forecast for later this week, bringing a much needed respite to a gasping city.

The pollution in Delhi is expected to dissipate as rainfall and strong winds are forecast for later this week, bringing a much needed respite to a gasping city.