New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday announced that the Odd-Even formula will not be enacted from November 13 in the national capital as the air quality has slightly improved after overnight rain.
Briefing the media persons, Rai said the government has postponed the Odd-Even scheme which was scheduled to be implemented from November 13 to 20 to combat the air pollution. “We will review the air quality situation again after Diwali and take a decision on it,” Rai said.
Gopal Rai wrote to the Transport Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and asked them to take action on plying of non-destined vehicles in Delhi causing vehicular air pollution in the city.
“Yesterday, I visited the Singhu Border and found that there was a traffic jam during the check. On this issue, officials suggested that the governments of UP-Haryana deploy teams on the Eastern-Western peripheral expressway so that vehicles can be diverted from there,” Delhi Environment minister said.
“I have written letters to the transport ministers of Haryana and UP to return the vehicles banned in Delhi from the starting point of Eastern-Western peripheral express,” he added.
On Thursday, Delhi Cabinet Ministers visited in their respective districts to ensure strict implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) rules issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
To address various sources of air pollution including vehicle emissions, dust pollution, biomass burning and stubble burning, the CAQM has implemented GRAP-IV in Delhi-NCR.
Under GRAP-IV, petrol vehicles with Bharat Stage (BS 3) engines and diesel vehicles with BS 4 engines and all types of trucks (excluding essential goods and services) are banned in the national capital.
Recently, the Delhi government announced an early winter break in schools from November 9 to 18 due to poor air quality in the city. As per order, the winter break for this year has been preponed so that schools can be totally closed and children and teachers can stay at home.
