CII pitches last-digit auto rationing scheme instead odd-even

Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has suggested to the Delhi government to introduce 'last-digit automobile rationing scheme' as an alternative to the odd-even formula to bring down pollution and congestion in the city.

Simply put, it means that registration plates ending with 1 would not be allowed on roads on 1, 11, 21 and 31 (dates) of a month. Similarly, cars ending with number 2 would be barred on 2, 12 and 22 (dates).

To back up its suggestion, CII has done a preliminary analysis and submitted the same to the Delhi chief minister, the deputy chief minister, the transport minister and the chief secretary.

"We suggest that the last-digit rationing should be done for every digit from 0 to 9 covering all automobiles — passenger cars, two-wheelers, taxis that include large numbers, diesel SUVs, commercial vehicles without giving exemption to any category other than vehicles with CNG, buses, ambulances, fire brigades and police vehicles," CII stated.

According to a study done by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the universal average (petrol and diesel) CO2 emission from a car is 257 grams for every kilometre (km) run and approximately 75 grams for two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

Based on this, a preliminary study undertaken by CII shows that if a vehicle travels for 10 km every day for 365 days a year, it will emit 9.4 lakh grams of CO2 in the air.

Taking it forward, if all registered vehicles of the Delhi state run for 10 km for 365 days, these are bound to emit 12,77,288 tonnes of CO2.

"... If the odd-even scheme is implemented for 15 days every quarter of the year, which means four times a year for 60 days, the total reduction in CO2 emission would be to the tune of 4,823 tonnes in a year, which is 0.37% of the total emission in the year," stated the industry body.

"It is notable that the odd-even scheme is only applicable to private four-wheelers with exemption to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, commercial vehicles, women drivers and CNG-fitted cars," CII said quoting its analysis.

On the other hand, if last-digit automobile rationing scheme is implemented throughout the year, the total reduction in emission would be 10,549 tonnes in a year, which means reduction is 0.82% of the total emission in the year, provided only commercial vehicles including buses and taxis, police vehicle, ambulances and fire brigades are exempted from this scheme.

If the last-digit auto rationing scheme for two digits is in place for the whole year, the total reduction in CO2 emission is estimated at 21,099 tonnes, which works out to 1.6% drop in the total carbon di-oxide output.