Pollution came down in odd-even first phase: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the pollution level in the city had come down by at least 13 percent during the first phase of the odd-even vehicle scheme.

"According to Fortune magazine, the pollution was reduced in Delhi by 13 per cent. There is a range of data, some claiming 20 percent while others claim 25 per cent reduction in pollution during the first phase of odd-even," Kejriwal said, while administering a pledge to school children for making Delhi pollution-free.

Citing figures to show that sale of petrol and diesel in the national capital was reduced by 40 percent during the first phase, Kejriwal said it clearly indicates that pollution was reduced.

Speaking to students two days before the second phase of the odd-even scheme kicks off, Kejriwal urged students to go in for car pooling during the second phase.

Kejriwal, along with Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and state Transport Minister Gopal Rai, was addressing students at Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya, Moti Bagh, here.

The second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme is to be implemented in the national capital from April 15 to 30.