Delhi government should prove odd-even has worked, else will stay imposition of the rule: NGT

The National Green tribunal said today that the Delhi government should prove whether the odd-even scheme has reduced pollution in the past or else it "will stay the imposition of the rule".

On Thursday, the Delhi government decided to enforce the odd-even number scheme for private vehicles as pollution levels in the capital rose alarmingly. 

"When the situation is improving, the government is trying to implement it. You should have done this earlier if you wanted to. This will now cause inconvenience to people," NGT said.

The hearing will continue tomorrow.

"Keeping in mind the environmental emergency and odd-even, a special NGT bench will sit tomorrow, on a holiday and the Delhi government will have to answer why odd-even is necessary to be implemented now," Gaurav Bansal, lawyer in odd-even implementation matter in NGT, said.

Meanwhile, Transport minister Kailash Gahlot said today that Delhiites can travel free in all DTC and cluster buses next week when the odd-even scheme for private cars gets underway.

"To encourage use of public transport during Odd-Even, Delhi govt to allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and Cluster buses from 13-17 November," Gahlot said in tweet.

Delhi chief minister Kejriwal added it will encourage people to switch to public transport.