Odd-Even II: Delhi-NCR to have air quality monitoring systems
22 March 2016 6:16 AM IST
The AAP government has decided to install air quality monitoring system across the national Capital region, including Delhi, to monitor air pollution during the second phase of 15-day odd-even car rationing scheme starting from April 15.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that the environment department has been asked to prepare a detailed plan to identity locations for installing pollution monitoring devices during the scheme to be implemented from April 15 to 30.
The Arvind Kejriwal government had installed such devices at six locations of the capital from January 1 to 15 when the first phase of odd-even scheme was introduced aimed at reducing serious pollution level.
“Apart from installing air quality monitoring system in Delhi, we will establish these devices in NCR as well to check air pollution in the Capital and bordering areas during second phase of odd-even scheme,” Rai said here.
A senior official highlighted that these devices will be installed in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Noida, Ghaziabad and other bordering areas for the assessment of air pollution.
He said that there will also be 20 mobile teams on different roads which will monitor air pollution on different roads across the Capital, adding that sample taking will start from April 5, 10 days prior to launch of special drive.
During first phase of odd-even scheme, the volume of respirable pollutants in the city’s air had reduced by 18 per cent during the odd-even scheme that regulated the plying of four-wheelers on Delhi roads for a fortnight, according to a study.
KEY POINTS
- The fine of Rs 2,000 for violating the rule is likely to remain unchanged
- School buses will not be used this time. Last time, schools had been closed for the first two weeks of the year
- Small CNG buses will also be used as ‘Paryavaran Bus Seva’
- on certain routes. These buses
- will have 50% reservation of seats for women and will have marshals on board
- DMRC and Traffic Police will submit detailed plans in a meeting expected to be held next week
- The government plans to enrol 400 ex-servicemen for enforcement of the scheme. Sub-Divisional Magistrates will not be enlisted this time, Gopal Rai said
- 1,000 additional Civil Defence volunteers will be recruited
- for directing traffic during the odd-even scheme
- Routes for feeder buses that connect to Metro stations will be rationalised with a maximum range for each route set between 8 and 10 km
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