New Delhi Nov 10 (IANS) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Friday said the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme won t be allowed in the capital till its efficacy was known.
The green court issued the directive a day after the Delhi government announced it would bring back the odd-even plan from November 13 to 17 to combat severe air pollution in Delhi and NCR region.
The tribunal said the government needed to satisfy the court that the odd-even car rationing scheme was productive.
NGT chairperson Swatanter Kumar said while the green bench was not against the odd-even scheme it wanted to know how it helps.
"We will not allow odd-even vehicle rationalisation scheme until you prove that it s not counter-productive " he said.
"Reports from DPCC (Delhi Pollution Control Committee) and CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) showed there was no change in pollution level last time. It s clear that small cars are not major polluters; it s the diesel and overloaded vehicles " he said.
The bench also asked the government to clarify how many out of the proposed 500 extra buses to boost public transport during the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme would be running on diesel.
Kumar observed that even Delhi Metro failed to help during the last edition of odd-even as during peak hours "it was difficult to even breathe inside the metro".
He also asked the government to clarify the logic behind allowing two-wheelers.
The final decision to roll out the scheme is expected on Saturday.
--IANS
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