6 Lessons Learnt from Delhi’s Odd-Even Experiment

Should Odd-Even formula be regularised? Here are 6 lessons from the first odd-even

Delhi has a long way to go to achieve a reliable transport system in the urgency of rising pollution levels. 

(Photo: The Quint)

(This story has been republished from The Quint’s archives in light of the NGT’s decision to regularise odd-even road rationing in Delhi. It was originally published after the first odd-even experiment by the Delhi government in January 2016.)

As data proves, we will have to do a lot more than restricting the number of private vehicles on the roads to reduce pollution in Delhi. The Odd-Even experiment ends on 15 January. The obvious question – what next?

Speaking to The Quint, Aam Aadmi Party’s Adarsh Shastri says the feedback so far has been positive, but a decision on continuing the Odd-Even Formula is yet to be taken.

We’ve seen tremendous public participation, but we will have to sit and review the ground situation in order to implement a long-term plan.

Adarsh Shastri, Leader, AAP

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal carpooling with Transport Minister Gopal Rai and Health Minister Satyendra Jain. (Photo: PTI)

Here are the seven big takeaways from the last 15 days.

Lesson #1

Fifteen days is too short a period to study the long-term impact of getting a part of our traffic off the roads on specific days for two main reasons:

• There is no credible, definitive data to prove that the Odd-Even scheme helped bring down air pollution.
  
• Air pollution, as a rule, is worse during the winter on account of weather conditions. Western disturbances bring in moisture which traps pollutants. Temperature dip and the lack of winds further contribute to bad air quality.
  

Lesson #2

If a fortnight is too short a period to gauge any real impact of the Odd-Even formula, it’s also too soon to write it off.

India Spend reported that the air quality in Delhi worsened by 50% during the first week. Their conclusion was backed by reports sourced from three other agencies – System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research ( SAFAR), Monitoring stations of Delhi Pollution Control Committee ( DPCC) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

But don’t fret just yet.

Average PM2.5 Concentration In Delhi For 1st Week Of Odd-Even & The Week Before. (Image Courtesy: India Spend)

In its analysis of the same week, the Centre for Science and Environment reported that despite hostile weather conditions, peak pollution during odd and even scheme has been much lower. This proves reduced traffic volume has arrested the peaking of pollution and validates the importance of emergency action.

And the good news – data released by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and Central Pollution Control Board also showed a fall in pollution levels after 8 January.

Lesson #3

Thankfully, gauging traffic is a lot more tangible endeavour.

Map showing GPS locations of autorickshaws around Delhi on the PoochO app. 

Fear of a Rs 2,000 fine (valid 2 hours only) was a strong encouragement for Delhiites to pool resources, or use public transport. The result was a much needed break from brain-numbing, back-breaking, soul-crushing traffic. Apps like Odd-Even Ride, Ola Cab Share, BlaBla Car and Shuttl offered Delhiites the opportunity to carpool with verified users.

Interestingly, regular metro users reported no more traffic than is normal for peak hours at Rajiv Chowk. Attempts to create a scare by circulating undated photographs on social media did little to break Delhiites’ resolve.

Lesson #4

We need better public transport.

Delhi has a long way to go to achieve a reliable transport system in the urgency of rising pollution levels. (Photo: The Quint)

Not that we needed the Odd-Even plan to tell us this, but last mile connectivity is still a problem. By end of 2016, Delhi would have added 118 km of Metro lines to its existing 213-km network and, as promised by the AAP government, at least 2,000 extra buses. But is it enough to accommodate Delhi’s burgeoning population?

Lesson #5

If the Delhi government were to seriously think of implementing the Odd-Even formula on a regular basis, it will have to introduce a “fairer” policy that brings under its ambit – two wheelers (proven to be bigger pollutants), women drivers and industries.

Considering that one saw more defaulters in Week 2, the government will also have to deploy an equally, if not more aggressive campaign to cultivate and maintain public engagement.

Volunteers with traffic police explaining the rules to an even numbered car owner. (Photo: PTI)

Lesson #6

Despite the “tu jaanta nahi mera baap kaun hai” stereotype of Delhi and the grey areas around the hastily-implemented plan, Delhiites showed their concern towards the environment by participating in the Odd-Even experiment with gusto.

The campaign against bursting firecrackers during Diwali has taken more than 15 years to register, if not hit home. Even now, social media campaigns by pet owners and environmentalists urge people not to burst crackers during the festival. Somewhere down the line, campaigns were launched in schools, colleges and offices. People’s participation has guided us towards a greener Diwali. Even if indices point to the contrary, we can be sure that it does not add to the ecological burden.

We can hope the Odd-Even formula is able to do the same.