Addressing Air Pollution

Odd Even Policy

ADHYAYAN: CASE STUDY

CONTENTS

Introduction
Background
Achievements
Flaws
Alternatives
Proposed Solution
Reference

INTRODUCTION

ODD-EVEN POLICY

The basic rule of the policy was that the odd

numbered vehicle would traverse the city on odd days
and even on even days.
The rule was effective between 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Exempting women with 12yr child , VIPs, medical.
Not valid for outsider vehicles.
Not implemented on Sundays.
The person not following rule will be levied Rs.2000.

NEED:

Delhi defamed for the most polluted

city in the recent times.
PM-2.5 &PM-10 have increased upto
hazardous level.
Traffic problem.
Increased number of death due to air
pollution.

THE POLICY:
A FLOWER WITH
BARBS

ACHIEVEMENTS

Pollution levels of
particulate matter
(PM) 2.5 across
Delhi showed a
consistent
declining trend
due to the
implementation of
the odd-even rule.

Gave way to car pooling which increased harmony some

healthy environment in the society and less numbers of
cars.

Less traffic on roads and relative reduction on pollution

People have to walk to the metro or bus station. This

means that they have some physical activity otherwise
they take
their vehicles to parks for walking which is of no use.

It was indeed a good approach towards saving our planet.

FLAWS

Do away with Exemptions. More the exemptions,

more the chances of being misused.

Despite having the best metro network in India,

the system didnt cater to people who worked on
daily basis.

Wrong targeting of pollution causing vehicles.

No long term planning for sustained reduction in

pollution.

Auto and taxi rates have shot up.

People considered the fine as a permit to ride

their vehicle on both the days.

It interfered with the peoples freedom and

caused a lot of inconveniences to people.

A primary long term challenge exists that

buying two cars will come into play.

ALTERNATIVES

Single car occupancy in North American cities

High congestion charges in London on cars.
High car taxes in Singapore.
Odd-Even rule in Colombia during peak hours
only .

.....But these options cant be implemented

here because now it will affect the economic
policies.

SOLUTIONS

INCREMENT OF TAXES:

Promoting electric cars by decreasing

sales tax, excise duty, infrastructure
cease, VAT, road tax.

Introduction of a new kind tax, say,

pollution tax, which can be utilised for
subsidising the electric cars.

DEVELOPMENTS OF INFRASTRUCTURE

Install GPS system in all cars so as to direct

traffic on least crowded path.

Installation of cycle lanes as done in Mexico

and Lucknow.

Develop sufficient pedestrian infrastructure.

Public transport

AWARENESS

Generating awareness about electric cars by

advertising on public buildings and transport.

To promote more and more public transport like metro

which Delhi have successfully done during 15 days.

Promoting the odd even policies through all India radio

and television so that people understand the acute
situation.

Promoting the policies through Nukkad Naatak by

college level and school level students so that a
general trend of fighting air pollution is developed
among the young generation. .

EXEMPETIONS

Exemptions are to be excluded except

in certain emergency cases like we can
exclude VIPs and VVIPs.

SOME OUT OF THE BOX IDEAS

Cars must be according to the no. of members

eg. 1 for 4 family members.
Permit for Entry on vehicles from other states
allowing to drive on odd-even days.
Government must take care that auto drivers
must not charge high fares or harass them.
Fines collected should be used as to advertise
about policies and to improve the quality of
road and public transportation in Delhi slum
areas.

Spray of water-jets on Construction sites to

reduce road dust which constitutes 56% of air
pollution.
Anhydrous CaCl2 can be sprinkled on dust
paths and construction sites to decrease
pollution by road dust.
Various taxes collected by petrol and diesel
vehicles should be utilised to subsidise
electric cars.
Crackers and fireworks should be
discouraged.
Green belts must be developed and people
should be encouraged to plant trees.

CONCLUSION:

The policy introduced, has many loopholes but

credit must be rewarded to the government for
good implementation though it caused some
problems to the Delhilites but they have to defy
their democracy to a little extent in order to save
the city. Such policies always do right to any
nation. They should not run back from it ,they
should implement it N number of times then
only it can become more better. Delhi MLAs must
insure to take the opinion of their respective
areas and welcome any suggestion from them.
As crooked regulation can never change
anything only our will would....

THE END