Only emergency vehicles to get exemption in odd-even scheme

Delhi government has got the signal from a court looking environmental issues to implement the odd-even vehicle movement scheme in the national capital to reduce pollution.

Odd-even refers to the registration number of the vehicle and dates. When the scheme is launched, odd numbered vehicles are allowed to ply on odd dates and even numbered vehicles are allowed on even dates in order to combat vehicular pollution.

The court also said that odd-even scheme must be implemented in Delhi NCR as and when PM 10 crosses 300 level and PM2.5 crosses 500.

PM2.5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter (PM) that has a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers, which is about 3 percent the diameter of a human hair.

The CNG vehicles and emergency services, such as ambulance and fire engines, will only get exemption during the odd-even scheme.

However, women, two-wheelers and government servants won't be exempted during the scheme.

The court also directed various departments and executing agencies, including the Delhi police, for better cooperation and coordination during the odd-even scheme.

The court also directed all the neighboring state governments and departments to ensure complete mechanism during environmental emergency.

The odd-even rule is slated to be rolled out from November 13 to November 17, 2017 in an attempt to reduce pollution in the nation's capital.

This is the third time the odd-even scheme is being launched in Delhi. It was implemented for 15 days from January 1-15 and April 15-30 last year.