New Delhi, November 4: The Supreme Court, which heard the case over the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, pulled up the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the Odd-Even policy imposed in the national capital region from today. The apex court sought to know what will the car-rationing scheme achieve in terms of curbing air pollution. Odd-Even to be Implemented in Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath Government Instructs Police to be Prepared.

The court pointed out that other options available to reduce traffic congestion are not being used by the residents. A viable alternative like the Delhi Metro is also not being used to its capacity, the bench said, adding that some of the routes are running almost empty.

"Though Delhi Metro is available, people think it is below dignity. People are not using airport metro to go to airport and it is empty always," the bench was reported as saying.

On the odd-even policy, the court asked "what is has achieved so far?". The counsel representing the AAP government said the move is implemented at a time when the air quality has turned severe, and is aimed at reducing the release of PM2.5 particulates in the air.

Since there will be less cars, it will lead to less congestion and less pollution, the lawyer told the bench, the government lawyer said.

The odd-even scheme, which bars the plying of cars with number plates ending with even numbers on odd numbered dates and vica versa, began in Delhi from today. The policy has nearly halved the volume of vehicles on the road.

On the first day of the odd-even scheme, a face-off was witnessed between BJP MP Vijay Goel and Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot. Goel violated the odd-even policy as a "symbolic protest", accusing the AAP government of taking no measures to control pollution in the last five years and coming up with "gimmicks" ahead of the upcoming election. Gehlot, who met Goel along with the press, appealed him to adhere to the odd-even policy as Delhi is facing an "air emergency".

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 04, 2019 04:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).