Delhi govt sticks to odd-even exemptions for women, two-wheelers; moves NGT

The Delhi government on Monday moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) seeking amendment in its November 11 order on odd-even car rationing scheme.

The green panel said it will hear the plea tomorrow.

The NGT had on November 11 given a conditional nod to the AAP government's decision to implement the odd-even car rationing scheme for five days from November 13, ordering that no exemption should be allowed to "any person or officer and two-wheelers".

It had said the odd-even scheme should be implemented "without any default" as and when PM (particulate matter) 10 level goes above 500 microgrammes per cubic metre and PM 2.5 level crosses the limit of 300 microgrammes per cubic metre during a span of 48 hours.

The government had on Saturday scrapped its plan to implement the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme it had slated to start from today, after NGT said there will be no exemption for women, two-wheelers and government servants.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said that his government would file a review petition before the NGT that two-wheelers and women be exempted from odd-even scheme.

The national capital has been experiencing dense smog for about a week, forcing the authorities to enforce emergency measures such as banning construction activities and brick kilns in the National Capital Region.

The AAP dispensation was also in touch with environment scientists and continuously monitoring the alarming pollution level which has left people gasping for breath.

"Movement of trucks and construction works are under scrutiny, water is being sprinkled, we are continuously monitoring the situation," Rai said, adding "there is a meeting with Pawan Hans officials today to discuss the plan of aerial sprinkling of water".

The Minister, who holds the transport portfolio along with several others, also hit out at the Haryana government for "playing blame game on stubble burning instead of taking action in his own state".

"The report for the last 48 hours given by the scientists is that the air quality is fluctuating. The report has been submitted to the Chief Minister and the Cabinet," Rai said.