Amid the Rising Pollution Levels: Haryana government implements the odd-even rule in the state

The Haryana government has decided to introduce the odd-even rule in four districts of the state as a test run due to increased pollution in the NCR region. Along with this, both government and private employees from 14 districts are asked to Work from Home. 

The odd-even scheme is a vehicle controlling scheme under which odd and even-numbered vehicles will operate on alternate days. On odd days, vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd numbers are permitted to operate, whereas those with even numbers are permitted to operate on even days. Moreover, schools, factories, thermal plants have also been closed for now.

The Supreme Court took the suo moto cognisance of the deteriorating air quality in the region and asked the centre and the governments of Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana to take urgent actions to curb the pollution. The court said the major reasons were construction, industries and transport, as these three sectors were responsible for 75 per cent pollution. Instead of blaming all on the farmers’ court asked the central government the need for heavy vehicles used by the government.

Delhi’s Air quality index has been very poor for 5 straight days. Every year, the region faces rising pollution during this time. Thick smog has become a phenomenon of every year for the region. It is due to the rising population and commercial activity in the region.

WHO INVENTED THE ODD-EVEN SCHEME?

In 1979, the method was implemented in the United States. When unstable conditions in Iraq and Iran caused a global surge in oil costs, the US utilized odd-even rationing.

After Hurricane Sandy reached the United States in 2012, the strategy was adopted once more. Fuel hoarding resulted as gasoline became limited. Licence plates with no numbers were considered to be odd.

In India, the scheme was first implemented in 2016 by CM of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal amid the rising pollution levels in the reason. The scheme aims to decrease reduce vehicular pollution, which in turn will reduce traffic jams along with improvement in air quality. 

REASONS FOR RISING POLLUTION LEVEL:

1. Pollution from vehicles
2. Dust due to the dry cold weather region 
3. Farm fires, stubble burning
4. A dip in wind speed during the winter season increases the pollutant level
5. Ineffective ban on crackers

HOW TO DEAL WITH RISING POLLUTION LEVELS:

1. Impose odd-even traffic rule
2. Implement the concept of work from home
3. Check of waste burning 
4. Carpooling can be promoted
5. Phase-out vehicles that are more than 15 and 10 years old.

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