Amid heightened concern over Delhi being mentioned as the most polluted city in the world by WHO, Delhi’s lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung is considering a proposal about implementing ‘odd and even licence plate’ restrictions on the lines of Singapore and Paris to curb congestion and pollution in the national Capital.
The proposal allows vehicles with odd licence plate numbers on roads on one day, and vehicles with even numbers the next day, thus, putting a check on the number of vehicles plying on city roads to contain pollution. The proposal is at a preliminary stage with the lieutenant-Governor’s office.
Responding to a query in view of WHO (World Health Organisation) report on increasing pollution level in the national Capital, Jung said that he has received suggestions from various quarters to implement the ‘odd and even licence plate restrictions’ and is actively considering the same. The Ministry of Road and Surface Transport had earlier formulated a draft on the similar line when VP Singh was the Prime Minister to keep rationing of petrol and diesel in the metropolitan cities in the past. But the draft was put on the shelves due to uncertain reasons.
The transport department officials said on conditions of anonymity that they have received proposal/suggestions from various quarters, including environmentalists or NGOs, to allow plying of even or odd number of vehicles on alternate day and are examining it.
In a related development, the Ministry of Urban Development wants to combine the features of ‘ecopass’ and the congestion tax method of london, Singapore and Stockholm and implement it in metros such as Delhi. Delhi’s air quality has been deteriorating over the years. Dieselisation of cars and SUVs, the current fad among car buyers, is slowly negating the gains of CNG. Environment watchdogs such as the Centre for Science and Environment have been flagging this issue, but of no avail so far.