09 January,2016 08:28 AM IST | | Agencies
The Delhi High Court also asked the Delhi government to consider restricting the programme to a week
New Delhi: The odd-even scheme in Delhi will continue at least till January 11 when the Delhi High Court decides its fate.
"We will pass an order on Monday (January 11)," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said after conclusion of arguments. The high court questioned the impact of the odd-even operation on pollution and asked the Delhi government to consider restricting the programme, slated for a fortnight till January 15, to a week.
Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Delhi government, said the programme was implemented as an emergency action to arrest the high emergency peak when the overall pollution levels were 5-6 times higher than the standards.
Salve referred to a report prepared by Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and said that it has recommended, "the Delhi government must be permitted to continue with the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme beyond 15 days, if adverse weather conditions continue." This submission was opposed by the petitioners who said the AAP government has carried out a pick-and-choose policy against car owners.
