Odd-even: Delhi HC asks AAP Govt. to present pollution data on Jan 8 (Update)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to present data on change in pollution-level on January 8 to ascertain if the Odd-Even scheme has been successful.

Advocate R.K. Kapoor told ANI that the High Court also asked the Delhi Government as to why the Odd-Even trial should last for more than a week.

"The statistics for a week was presented before the court to show that there hasn't been a significant reduction in pollution levels despite the odd-even formula. The court then asked if the seven days period was sufficient to establish that pollution had come down. The court has asked the Delhi Government to present data on January 8 to establish that pollution had come down and that the experiment is successful," Kapoor told ANI.

"If the statistics show that the difference in pollution levels is marginal then the court won't consider it, if it is substantial then the court might consider it. The court has said that the experiment period of seven days is sufficient," he added.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said that the Odd-Even scheme has been successful so far because of the cooperation from the people of Delhi.

"Important question is what is being raised by people of Delhi and also by Delhi high court. Has pollution level come down? What are the steps that Centre and Delhi government propose to take to bring down real levels of pollution so that Delhi's future can be secured," he said.

Responding to the High Court's question, the Delhi Government had said that the Odd-Even formula was working and well received by the people.

The Delhi Government also claimed that initial data showed reduction in pollution levels in the city.