Odd and Even Rule - All you need to Know

Private vehicles in Delhi with odd and even registration numbers are to be allowed to ply on alternate days only. However, CNG fuelled buses, taxis and rickshaws are exempted from the rule. the Delhi Government on December 4th announced that movement of Private vehicles will be restricted to alternate days in an attempt to control the deteriorating pollution situation in the capital. Delhi Surpassed Beijing last year to become the world's most polluted city, according to a WHO Report. the move termed " Road Space Rationing " is widely practiced in many cities in the world including Beijing and Paris.

Facts in Support of Odd Even System

1. Delhi's air pollution levels have become health hazard over the last few years and vehicular traffic is a large contributor.
2. Delhi also has severe traffic snarls during peak hours and the move will go a long way in improving traffic conditions.
3. More efficient road space allocation will also improve the overall carbon efficiency of the city, saving fuel and money.

Facts Against Odd Even Formula

1. Many areas in Delhi does not have an effective public transportation system
2. Frequency of metro trains will have to be increased to accommodate more passengers
3. Increasing in number the number of buses and taxis will have the same effect on traffic that it does now.
4. A car is legal property of a citizen and such a move may infringe upon the fundamental rights of the citizen.

Paris implemented the rule during emergency pollution situation in 2014 and 2015 and successfully curbed pollution levels both times
Beijing implemented the rule during the 2008 Olympics and successfully reduced traffic and pollution over one month
in Mexico city, the rule has been implemented since 1989 but has been largely unsuccessful 
Colombian capital Bogota unsuccessfully implemented the rule in 2010 for two months

CM Arvind Kejriwal also tweeted a Photo  which he claimed is sent by Dr. Naresh Trehan the photo shows two lungs. one is of a person who lives in Delhi and the another lung is of a person who lives in Himachal Pradesh. lung of the person from Himachal Pradesh looks healthy as compared to the lung of the person living in Delhi

The Chief Justice of India, TS Thakur said on 6th December that " judges have no problem with the odd-even formula of Delhi government". CM Arvind Kejriwal hailed this statement as a victory and strong endorsement of his government's attempt to curb air pollution levels in Delhi. Delhi's Transport Minister Gopal Rai stated on 8th Dec. that the even odd formula will be enforced from 8 am to 8 pm and no restrictions will be enforced on Sundays. he added that odd numbered vehicles will ply on odd dates and even numbered on even dates, instead of following days as was earlier stated. the pollution control committee will also test change in pollution levels after the initiative begins

• Nearly 10 lakh private cars will daily stay off the roads in the national capital once the odd- even formula is enforced from January 1, with the drastic reduction in traffic flow expected to significantly reduce the high-level of pollution in the city. 

• There are over 19 lakh private four-wheeler registered in Delhi and nearly half of these will go off the roads with the implementation of AAP government's ambitious odd-even formula. 

• Nineteen lakh private four-wheelers, including cars, jeeps, vans are registered in the national capital. 

• After implementation of the odd-even scheme from January 1, around 10-lakh odd-numbered cars will go off the city's roads on even dates and vice verse during a 15-day trial period," a top official told PTI. 

• According to an IIT-Kanpur study, vehicular emissions make the national capital's air abysmally poor during the winter months.  

The Arvind Kejriwal government is yet to decide on a policy for the large number of private four-wheelers entering the national capital from cities within its vicinity like Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Sonipat. 

The government has to take a decision also on the approximately 57-lakh bikes and scooters here. 

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai has said that the government will come out with a final plan for the implementation of the odd-even formula before December 25 and strictly implement it in order to clean the city's air. 

"All the departments concerned have been asked to suggest ways to successfully implement the government's ambitious scheme. 

"DTC has been directed to engage private buses and school buses under cluster scheme so that people don't face problems while using public transport from January 1 to January 15," the official also said.

The AAP government is studying three existing Acts -- Environment Protection Act, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act and Motor Vehicles Act -- under which it can impose a penalty on those found violating the odd-even rule.