Delhi Minister to Follow Supreme Court’s Decision on Odd-Even Rule
The Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, announced today that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will make a decision regarding the implementation of the odd-even rule only after thoroughly examining the Supreme Court’s order. This comes in light of the recent spike in pollution levels in Delhi.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court directed the neighboring states of Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to take necessary measures to prevent stubble burning, which has been identified as a significant contributor to the deteriorating air quality in the national capital.
During the proceedings, Justice SK Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia highlighted various issues such as stubble burning, vehicular pollution, and open waste burning as key factors behind the yearly decline in air quality in Delhi. The court remarked that schemes like the odd-even rule are merely symbolic and do not effectively address the problem.
Expressing concern over stubble burning, the Supreme Court urged the states to take immediate action to halt this practice. The court emphasized that while it is the responsibility of the states to find solutions, the burning of crop residue must be stopped as a matter of urgency.
The Supreme Court has scheduled a further hearing on the matter for Friday, during which it will delve deeper into the issue and explore potential solutions.
As of now, the Delhi government is awaiting the Supreme Court’s response to guide their decision on whether to implement the odd-even rule, which restricts vehicles based on their license plate numbers to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
In conclusion, the Delhi Minister has stated that their course of action regarding the odd-even rule will be determined by the Supreme Court’s verdict, highlighting the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing issue of air pollution in the city.
