Smog-choked Delhi ends car ban trial with air quality little improved

“It was a tough call”, said Kejriwal, “but the people of Delhi stood by it, followed it”.

The rule limits the use of private cars with odd or even numbered registration (license) plates on corresponding odd and even dates.

The PIL filed by one Shadaab Patel contended that the residents of the city are facing health problems due to air pollution caused by carbon monoxide emitted from vehicles and by burning and other ways of disposal of solid waste by the municipal corporation.

Less than four hours before the January 1-15 experiment is set to end, Kejriwal said the odd-even plan did bring down pollution and, more importantly, did away with unending traffic snarls across the capital.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear an urgent plea challenging Delhi High Court order and AAP government’s notification for odd-even scheme to curb pollution in Delhi.

The report further said that apart from these months, background level of pollution (months except peaking period) is way beyond the prescribed norms.

“Look at the roads, they’re so thinly populated”.

“Less cars means less traffic jams, which in turn means we inhale less pollution”, the 38-year-old told AFP, calling for the restrictions to be imposed on a regular basis.

This scheme, whose aim was to curb pollution, won many people’s support for the reason that it also contributed to lesser traffic to Delhi’s congested roads.

He also spoke about the fourth car-free day in the capital.

Delhi’s record air pollution levels in 2015 has been attributed to a lack of adequate monsoon rain, agricultural farm fires from neighboring states, fireworks on the Diwali festival and vehicular congestion.

A review meeting in this regard, which is to be presided over by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is scheduled for Monday after which a decision will be taken, said Mr. Rai.