(a) whether the Government/Central Pollution Control Board has made any assessment of the effects of implementation of Odd-Even Scheme on pollution levels in the National Capital Territory of Delhi;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to implement the said scheme in other metropolitan cities of the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether any research has been made in order to control pollution in the country and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) to (d) The Odd-even scheme has been listed as an emergency (severe+) measure in Graded Response Action Plan, notified on January 12, 2017. The scheme has been implemented thrice by the Delhi Government till date, first during January 1-15, 2016, then from April 15-30 in 2016 and recently from November 4-15, 2019.
Central Pollution Control Board had conducted an assessment of the odd-even scheme implemented from 1st to 15th January, 2016 in Delhi. The report stated that while some reduction in air pollution is likely to happen due to odd-even scheme, a single factor or action cannot substantially reduce air pollution levels in Delhi.
During 2019, the data is compiled for odd-even period (12 days), pre odd-even period and post odd-even period for the same number of days and presented in below. The data does not show much variation in pollution levels during the odd-even period. The average concentration and range of concentration for pre odd-even period was higher with respect to odd-even period and the post odd-even period is lower than that of odd-even period.