276 fined on second day of odd-even plan implementation

It’s been three days that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government imposed the odd-even rule in the city.

“Very poor” quality air reigned in Delhi on the second day of “odd-even”, even as authorities released conflicting reports on the impact of the vehicular restrictions on January 1 primarily due to different comparative parameters. Of the seven stations it monitors in Delhi, T3 Airport Terminal fared the worst on Friday with an index of 425.

PM 2.5 are the particulate matter able to inflicting hurt to human respiration, if current above permissible ranges.

The minimum temperature in Delhi dipped from 8.4°C on December 31 to 7°C on January 1.

As the much-debated odd-even scheme restricting movement of private cars in the national capital between 8 AM and 8 PM for a fortnight was rolled out yesterday.

This was, in fact, one of the most polluted days in the city after 11 November, Diwali day, when pollution levels hit an alarming high.

According to the data, the level of PM2.5 was between 121 to 226 micrograms per cubic metre at these 20 locations on 1 January. It was at 238 units at 11.30 a.m. At the same time, the PM 10 levels (particulate matter less than 10 microns) stood at 923 units, as against the normal 100 units.

“The pollution level has not been affected even as even-odd started as the pollutants which have gathered in the air till today stay close to the ground in winter”. Of course, experts say, fewer cars on the road as New Year also being a restricted holiday means better news for air quality.

Along with two wheelers, cars operating on natural gas have been exempted. “Next time, we will try to involve NCR states for this (implementing odd-even policy)”, he added. What Delhi needs is to have the ambition to be a smart city with good infrastructure, access to public transportation, cleaner/alternative fuels for all modes of transportation, and strict enforcement of Clean Air Standards. “I got down at Rajiv Chowk instead of RK Ashram Marg and took an auto from there to reach my office”, said Manveet, a content writer, while sharing her experience of metro during the odd-even day.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai blamed it on trucks entering the city.

Like Beijing, Mexico City, Paris and other cities that have tried similar measures, officials in New Delhi describe the two-week trial as an emergency intervention to fight the capital’s foul air, a dusky gray haze that makes visitors feel like they’re wearing permanently fogged-up sunglasses.

“Imagine if you are five feet tall”. Beig explained that emission levels were proportional -though not directly proportional -to the air pollution. A recent assessment by Beijing-based Greenpeace East Asia shows that between August 2014 and August 2015, Delhi’s levels of particulate matter PM2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) were far higher than those in Beijing.