Air pollution: SC directs Centre to prepare plan for installation of air-purifying towers in national capital

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Air Pollution: Promises to Keep

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Centre to prepare an outline for installation of air-purifying towers to rein-in the pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR region.

The court gave the order after observing that the Odd-Even formula didn’t prove to be worthwhile solution in controlling the pollution crisis in the national capital.

At today’s hearing, the bench asked the Delhi government about the effects of Odd-Even formula on controlling the pollution in New Delhi.

Senior Adv Mukul Rohatgi, representing Delhi government informed the apex court that the Odd-Even formula would work better if certain exemptions are removed such as not giving exemption to two-wheelers from the scheme.

“We are trying to work it out further. If two-wheelers are not allowed, the city will come to a standstill,” Rohatgi told Supreme Court.

Expressing displeasure at the arguments of Rohatgi, the apex court said: “…It’s a halfway solution, either it’s full odd-even or no odd-even, there has to be no exemption. We don’t know whether it’s really working or not.”

—India Legal Bureau