ODD-Even Car Formula

Environmental problem in Delhi is a debatable issue lately. It is a threat to the well-being of the inhabitants of the city as well as the flora and fauna. As per a survey the limit of pollution in capital is 10 times higher than the WHO limits. In May 2014 the World Health Organization announced New Delhi as the most polluted city in the world Air pollution in Delhi is caused mainly by industry and vehicular traf fic. For traffic related sources, growth in vehicle numbers and mileage seems to outpace efforts to reduce emissions. Many efforts have been made by the several parties in power in Delhi to deal with the issue of vehicular pollution but none could bring drastic change in bringing the limit down.

Odd-Even Formula:

Over the past month, there have been repeated calls from environmentalists and activists for radical measures on part of the administration to clean the toxic air in Delhi, considered the world’s most polluted city. As a result the present Government in power in the Union Territory has come up with yet another formula to deal with the issue of pollution which is popularly known as ‘The Odd-Even Formula’. This has been formulated to bring down the number of cars running on the roads in Delhi and to increase the use of public transports. As per this formula cars with odd-numbered registration plates would ply on odd dates and those with even-numbered registration plates would do so on even dates.

With the coming in force of this rule nearly 10 lakh private cars will daily stay off the roads in the national capital once the odd- even formula is enforced from January 1, with the drastic reduction in traffic flow expected to significantly reduce the high-level of pollution in the city. There are over 19 lakh private four-wheelers registered in Delhi and nearly half of these will go off the roads with the implementation of AAP government’s ambitious odd-even formula.

This system was implemented in Beijing in 2008 just before the summer Olympics. While the rule was initially said to be temporary, it turned out to be so effective the government made it permanent.

Some Highlights of the rule:

• Private vehicles with odd registration numbers will be allowed on the road on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Vehicles with even numbers will run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Nothing has been finalized about Sundays yet.
• This rule will not be applicable on emergency vehicles like PCR vans, ambulances and fire-tenders, and on public transports like CNG-driven buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws as applying this on these vehicles would create a major trouble for all.
• Two-wheelers have been exempted from this rule.
• This system, therefore, will be applicable only on private-owned four wheelers running across Delhi, and on those coming in from other states. And that includes vehicles used by ministers and bureaucrats of all ranks.
• The government has added the public transport will be strengthened from the first of January. This will include increasing the frequency of metro trains across the city.
• The Delhi Government has informed that this formula would first be tested for 15 days, starting from January 1, to see its effects and impact as if it seems feasible it would be continued, else it would be dropped. The phase 1 of the much debated even-odd car scheme of Delhi government will come into effect from January 1, 2016.
  
  

Criticisms related to the rule:

This formula has come with several apprehensions about its feasibility. As not everyone has two cars or it’s possible. For this formula to be success the frequency and condition of public transport has to be improved. If the Government wants people to give up cars and travel in buses and metros then it needs to make those modes as comfortable and convenient as private vehicles.

To conclude we can say that if this formula to reduce air pollution does not work out then the next best way could be to make certain rules as to use of Cleaner fuels in all modes of transport as a way out for taming vehicular emissions which form a significant part of air pollution.