Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
New Delhi
As Delhi breathes toxic air and politicians continue to play ‘blame game’ over it, experts say the ‘odd-even’ road rationing scheme, launched by the Delhi Government on Monday will not even “move the needle” as far as air pollution is concerned.
“Odd-even does not move the needle on air pollution enough to inconvenience an entire population,” says indoor air expert Barun Aggarwal.
“There are three main criteria to reduce air pollution due to automobiles: the number of automobiles on the roads, the number of kilometres driven per automobile per day and the emissions per kilometre driven per automobile,” he added.
According to Aggarwal, the scheme only targets the first criterion, and to which there are many exemptions in place.
“However, the number of kilometres driven per day—which increases per vehicle during odd-even and the quality of emissions from these vehicles on the road (due to more taxi usage) reduces the gains tremendously. Hence, statistically speaking, it does not help reduce the air pollution,” he says.
According to experts stubble burning in neighbouring states, construction activities and adverse meteorological conditions contribute to North India’s poor air quality this time of the year.
Schemes like odd-even only add to the perception of “something is being done”, say experts.
To prevent exposure to severe pollution that can have a harmful impact on health, TERI advised caution and avoidance of non-essential exposure to the air that can happen through travel. It also appealed to organisations to allow its employees’ remote modes of working and parents to cut outside exposure time for their children.
Ajay Mathur, Director General, TERI said, “Along with year-round sources of pollutants, agricultural burning is a prime contributor in the severe deterioration of air quality in Delhi.”
A large number of fires in the upwind states were detected between 26 and 30th October, which are now, after the transport of the pollutants through atmospheric winds, adversely affecting the air quality in Delhi.
“In order to avoid exposures to the air, non-essential commute should be curtailed. The government of Delhi has already announced the closure of schools. Public and private organisations in Delhi/NCR should allow people to work from their homes,” said Mathur.
