Direct emission from cars down by 30-40% during odd-even scheme: CSE

The fortnight-long odd-even scheme, aimed at checking air pollution in the national Capital that ended last Friday, brought down direct emissions of pollutants from cars by 30 to 40 per cent, says leading the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

“During the odd-even formula, direct emissions of pollutants from cars in the city was reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. It happened because of fewer vehicles plying on roads,” CSE’s air pollution control unit programme manager Vivek Chattopadhyay said. He, however, added that mixed results were observed in the ambient pollution levels.

Under the scheme, four-wheelers with odd and even registration numbers plied in Delhi – a city where cars account for nearly a third of its nine million registered vehicles – on alternate dates.

Several categories were exempted from the scheme, including a string of VIPs, women drivers, emergency services and CNG-operated transport.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai had said on Friday that a reduction in pollution level by at least 20-25 per cent had been witnessed. Chattopadhyay added that the biggest benefit of the odd-even rule was the restriction on diesel cars and SUVs, which are the major source of vehicular pollution in the city.

“Before this, there was no restriction on diesel cars/ SUVs. But with the odd-even rule, a significant number of diesel cars could not come on roads, thereby, helping in bringing down the pollution levels.”

According to Chattopadhyay, a report from the London Assembly Environment Committee, ‘Driving away from diesel: Reducing air pollution from diesel vehicles’, says compared with petrol diesel exhaust is a major contributor to air pollution.

“The report says that one diesel car emits an equal amount of toxic health-damaging pollutants as emitted by 27 new petrol cars. Therefore, it becomes necessary to put a check on the emission of pollutants that are a health hazard,” he said.

Chattopadhyay added that though the odd-even formulae reduced the direct emission 

of pollutants in the national Capital, there was a need to explore more ways than one to check pollution and traffic in the city.

Stressing on other ways to control pollution in Delhi, Chattopadhyay said: “The odd-even schdeme is good, but the government should also increase parking charges in the city to limit the number of vehicles.” 

“The odd-even scheme should also be implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR) because a large number of cars come to the city from there, increasing pollution,” he added.