What the odd-even scheme achieved

• Peak pollution controlled despite fog and adverse weather
   
• Load of particulates and nitrous oxides from cars reduced by about 40%
   
• Areas with higher car density recorded more improvement in air quality
   
• Decongestion of roads, leading to better utilisation of vehicles and reduced travel time

OTHER POSSIBLE TEMPORARY MEASURES

• Extending odd-even rule to two-wheelers
  
   
• Shutting power plants and industries
   
• Declaring school holidays

LASTING MEASURES THAT DELHI NEEDS

• Congestion charges on the basis of time and location of travel
   
• Tax benefits for CNG and electric vehicles
   
• Phase out old vehicles
   
• Timely completion of phase-III of Delhi Metro
  

 

Remove entry taxes for cabs, autos and buses within NCR cities
 

Rationalise taxes on buses
 

Substantially hike car parking charges
 

Expand bus fleet to 11,000 from around 6,000 at present
 

Build dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians
 

Implement Bharat-VI emission norm by 2020
 

Islanding of Delhi by diverting trucks and commercial vehicles

JOBS UNDER THREAT

• Personal drivers: Taking a car out on alternate days could mean fewer people hiring personal drivers
   
• Parking attendants: Fewer cars and dwindling parking revenue could mean a cut on parking attendants

HOW POLLUTION CHANGED CITIES: A LESSON FROM HISTORY

• 13th century: Attempts to ban sea coal burning in London failed
  

 

17th century: Smoke from coal burning corrodes London buildings
 

Late 19th century: Community campaigns against smoke start across UK and the US
 

Early 20th century: Winter smog kills many in industrial cities of Manchester, Chicago, Pittsburgh and others in the UK and the US, leading to public outcry
 

1920: Air pollution ordinances in 175 US cities
 

1940: Los Angeles with a million cars suffers massive smog and health impacts
 

1948: Hundreds take ill and thousand impacted by smog in Donora, Pennsylvania
 

1952: December smog kills more than 4,000 people in London
 

1956: UK Clean Air Act passed

 

1970: First comprehensive Clean Air Act in the US passed

Sources: Environmental history of Air Pollution and Protection, Stephen Mosley, UNESCO-EOLSS paper

2. A brief history of air pollution, Erica Rowell and Julie Rossman

http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/SMOG-infographic.jpg

"Air Pollution Goes Back Way Further Than You Think" Jim Morrison, Smithsonianmag.com