Odd-Even Rule: Success or Stupidity?

The government of the state of Delhi recently implemented a new rule, that was run on a trial basis for the first 15 days of the month of January. This particular experiment has been criticised as well as commended by various sections of the society. Here's my analysis of the Odd-Even Rule for the vehicles that was introduced to reduce the levels of pollution that have increased alarmingly in the past few years.

According to the WHO survey in 2010, the Particulate Matter levels in Delhi were 286 and 153 for PM(10) and PM(2.5) respectively. The levels were 22 and 16 in London around the same time, according to the survey reports. When the same survey was conducted in December 2014 and January 2015, the PM(2.5) levels were found to be 225, whereas in Beijing it was 95. A major step had to be taken to reduce these pollution levels. During the last week of December 2015, the Odd Even rule for the vehicles of Delhi was suggested in the parliament. According to the rule, the vehicles that were registered with Odd numbers would run on the odd dates days of the month and the even numbered ones on the even dates days.
However, this rule came with a number of conditions embedded along with it. The following are the highlights of the Odd Even rule:

• Rule was to be implemented between 8 AM and 8 PM.
• Women, two wheelers, CNG vehicles, Vehicles of the various ministers and VIPs of the state and central government, ambulances, defence vehicles and Embassy vehicles were exempted from this rule.
• This rule was exempted on Sundays.
• Trucks would be allowed inside Delhi only after 10:30 PM
• Delhi Metro would extend its timings and the frequency of the trains.
• 1000 buses would be incorporated for the public to commute.
• 200 checkpoints were set up to monitor the pollution levels in the air.

After considering all the vehicles that were exempted, only 18% of the public had to follow this new rule, implying that an approximate number of 5.3 lakh cars would be taken off the road on a particular day of the month. There was another problem that came along with the increased number of two wheelers. Many of the scooters, motorcycles and mopeds that had earlier gotten off the road because of the use of cars, were now returning. This meant that there would be vehicles with quite old engines that emit larger amount of pollutants into the air around. Another added misery to the general public was the over crowded public transport. The Metro train stations, especially the busy ones like Rajiv Chowk, which used to be crowded even before the rule was implemented, started to get even more crowded during the Odd-Even rule phase. The buses that had been promised had arrived but the number of buses that were being used by the public was way lesser than expected. This resulted in overcrowding of the buses as well. There were complaints of people taking Rickshaws and cabs, in order to reach their destination as waiting for the next Metro or the next bus would only delay their chores. 

Dhruv Negi, a student in Bengaluru, but a resident of Kasturba Gandhi Road, Delhi, during his vacations, felt that this rule was a major success. His travelling was smoother and less strenuous. He says he faced far less traffic than he usually does in and around Delhi and it took him less than half an hour to reach a particular place, which otherwise would have taken him a minimum of two hours. He feels that this odd-even plan should be executed for a longer period of time, as Delhi needs to have its share of pollution as well as traffic cut down. 

Aman, another resident of Delhi, has similar views. According to him, the density of buses have seen an increase and so has the frequency of the Metro trains. Though the trains are a little crowded as compared to before, the travelling has become easier and definitely shorter. He was all praise for this newly implemented rule and said he would be happy to oblige if it was executed for a longer duration. 

A few other people were however seen quite indignant about this particular rule. Residents of localities that don't have access to Metro stations were seen hanging and fighting for space on the foot boards of overcrowded buses. A few others preferred to take the taxi or an auto rickshaw. 

Having a glance at the pollution level, the original reason as to why this particular rule was brought to existance in the first place, the Delhi government may be in for a disappointment. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), if the PM(2.5) lies between 120-25, the quality of the air is considered as poor. If it crosses 250, it falls under the Severe category, which is a matter of great concern. On the evening of January 9, the pollution level at Connaught Place was found to be 365 for PM(2.5) and 609 for PM(10). Across the nine pollution level measuring stations in Central and South Delhi, it was found that the average levels were between 136 and 241 for PM(2.5). Similarly, at R.K. Puram and Anand Vihar, the levels were 509 and 563 for PM(2.5) respectively in the afternoon. Overall, when the levels of pollution are compared between the Pre-Odd-Even and Post-Odd-Even phases, there has been an increase of 12-14% of particulate matter in the Delhi air. These are the readings of the CPCB and the DPCC collectively. The cold and the fog hasn't helped the cause either. The fog level and intensity too increased during this period, making it easier for the particulate matter to segregate. On the whole, the plan has turned upside down.   

Though the numbers are on the negative side, the government of Delhi was quite enthusiastic about the Odd Even policy. The ministers, including the Chief Minster, were seen carpooling while travelling between their office and their residence and were seen avoiding the large convoy of vehicles that usually follows a Minister of the cabinet. People travelling from Gurgaon and NOIDA seemed to reach their destinations hassle-free and way faster than they usually would. 

All in all, the Odd Even rule has seen mixed reviews and reactions. The purpose for which this particular rule was implemented in the first place hasn't been fulfilled it was presumed it would be. The experiences too have been bitter sweet for the public as well as the public servants. The final decision regarding the lifetime of this new experiment is to come out in the months of February and March, after a detailed analysis of all the reports that were submitted to the government. Till then, the Delhi public can start driving their cars without worrying whether the date is even or odd!

P.S.: Special thanks to my friends Suprit and Yamini who helped me with the content and the presentation of this particular article.