Smog engulfs Swarup Nagar near Bhalswa landfill site, in New Delhi on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma more-in The Delhi government on Saturday called off the odd-even car rationing scheme that was supposed to start from Monday, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said. After the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered the government to not give any exemptions, including to two-wheeler users and women, the Cabinet held a meeting at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. Mr. Gahlot said though the government “respected” the NGT’s decision, including two-wheelers and women for the odd-even made it difficult to implement the programme. Delhi had more than 60 lakh two-wheelers. If half of them were off the roads on any day during odd-even, 30 lakh people would have to be accommodated in public transport, which was not possible. Also Read Govt. offers free bus rides during odd-even scheme Keeping in view the safety of women, the government could not include them in odd-even, the Minister said, adding that the government would go back to the NGT on Monday to file a review. Mr. Gahlot also said the levels of (particulate matter) PM2.5 and PM10, which was in the severe category since Tuesday, had reduced.

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