How successful was odd even plan?

The success of Delhi's odd-even car policy, implemented to reduce air pollution, is a subject of ongoing debate and mixed findings. Here are some key points regarding its effectiveness:

Reduction in Pollution

• Early implementations of the scheme in 2016 showed some reduction in pollution levels, but the impact was not significant. A study by Delhi Technological University found a 5.73% reduction in PM 2.5 levels and a 4.70% reduction in PM 1 levels during the initial two-week trial3.
• However, subsequent implementations did not consistently show similar reductions. For instance, when the scheme was reintroduced in April 2016, there was no notable reduction in pollution levels5.
• In 2019, the scheme's reintroduction saw visible results on the first day, but long-term efficacy remained questionable2.

Exemptions and Compliance

• The scheme had several exemptions, including two-wheelers, women-only vehicles, CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles, emergency vehicles, and VIPs. These exemptions reduced the scheme's overall impact since a significant number of vehicles were still on the roads35.
• Wealthier individuals could circumvent the restrictions by owning two cars with opposite-parity number plates2.

Traffic Congestion and Public Transport

• The scheme did help in reducing traffic congestion, which can indirectly reduce pollution by avoiding the build-up of ground ambient air. However, the public transportation system struggled to cope with the increased demand, highlighting the need for better-organized public services14.

Public and Expert Opinions

• The Supreme Court of India questioned the efficacy of the scheme, stating that there was little evidence it significantly reduced pollution levels. The court's amicus curiae reported that vehicular pollution contributes to only about 17% of Delhi's total pollution, and the odd-even scheme could at best reduce this to 13%4.
• Environmentalists and experts have called the scheme a "knee-jerk reaction" rather than a long-term solution, suggesting that it causes significant inconvenience to commuters without substantial benefits in reducing pollution5.

Conclusion

While the odd-even scheme had some positive effects, such as reducing traffic congestion and showing minor reductions in pollution levels during certain periods, its overall success in significantly reducing air pollution in Delhi is debated. The scheme's efficacy is limited by its exemptions, the ability of some individuals to circumvent the rules, and the broader complexity of Delhi's pollution issues, which involve multiple sources beyond just vehicular emissions.