Air Pollution: Odd-even rule in 4 Haryana districts from next week

The Haryana government has announced to impose odd-even rule in four districts -- Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat -- from next week.

A decision to this effect was taken in an emergency meeting called by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjeev Kaushal on Tuesday.

It also decided that in 14 districts falling under the NCR, the government employees will work from home till November 22.

The 14 districts where work from home has been advised are -- Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Jind, Karnal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Palwal, Panipat, Rewari, Rohtak and Sonipat.

The odd-even scheme is a vehicle rationing scheme under which odd and even-numbered vehicles ply on alternate days. Vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd numbers are allowed on the roads on odd days, while those with even numbers ply on even days.

Apart from this, private establishments have been asked to follow the same. Such industries where such a system is not possible will have to take special permission from the Deputy Commissioner concerned.

Earlier in the week, the administration had advised people in the four districts to work from home. The government and private schools were also closed till November 17.

Deputy Commissioner Gurugram, Yash Garg said the administration will take all measures to implement decisions taken in the meeting. The responsibility of the transport department has already been fixed to follow directions.

An official of the district transport department said, "We will implement the odd-even rule as per the given directions. As several people are already working from home so we hope it is not difficult for the department to implement orders, he said, adding that, there will be no restrictions on CNG vehicles".

--IANS

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