New Delhi, Nov 11 – The Odd-Even formula, scheduled to be implemented in Delhi from November 13 to 20, has been postponed, announced Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai. The decision comes as the air quality in the national capital has slightly improved after overnight rain.
Rai briefed the media, stating that the government would review the air quality situation again after Diwali and make a decision on the implementation of the Odd-Even scheme. He also wrote to the Transport Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, urging them to take action on non-destined vehicles causing vehicular air pollution in Delhi.
Addressing the issue of traffic jams at the Singhu Border, Rai suggested deploying teams on the Eastern-Western peripheral expressway to divert vehicles and prevent congestion during checks. He sent letters to the transport ministers of Haryana and UP, requesting them to redirect banned vehicles from Delhi at the starting point of the expressway.
Delhi Cabinet Ministers visited their respective districts on Thursday to ensure the strict implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) rules issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). GRAP-IV aims to address various sources of air pollution, including vehicle emissions, dust pollution, biomass burning, and stubble burning.
Under GRAP-IV, petrol vehicles with Bharat Stage (BS 3) engines and diesel vehicles with BS 4 engines, along with all types of trucks (excluding essential goods and services), are banned in Delhi. The Delhi government had recently announced an early winter break in schools from November 9 to 18 due to poor air quality in the city, allowing students and teachers to stay at home.
