Considering that the pollution is likely to go up post Diwali, the Delhi government on Monday decided to impose the odd-even rule for cars from November 13 to November 20.

The odd-even rule of Delhi government is a traffic curb under which private vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit will be allowed on roads on odd dates and those with an even digit on even dates.

The decision to impose the odd-even rule for cars came out of the meeting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired on Monday over deteriorating air quality in the city and its adjoining areas, which is being attributed to stubble burning in neighbouring states and firecrackers.

A meeting for implementation of the odd-even rule will be held tomorrow, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said.

Gopal Rai said that apart from already imposed restrictions, no exemption to any construction and demolition activities will be given, adding that apart from primary schools, now even Class 6 to 10 shall remain closed till November 10.

Delhi and adjoining areas woke up to another day of ‘severe’ category air pollution and a thick blanket of toxic haze on Monday.

The air quality has been severe in Delhi and neighbouring areas such as Noida, Ghaziabad, Gururgram, Faridabad etc., for the past few days, with no respite being seen anytime soon amid stubble burning and upcoming Diwali festival, during which people are likely to burst crackers.

Source: News18