Odd-even: Pollution monitoring devices to be installed

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 21

During the second phase of its odd-even scheme from April 15 to 30, the Delhi Government will be expanding its air quality monitoring from the national Capital to neighbouring regions where devices would be installed to measure air pollution. 

Apart from Delhi, these devices will be installed in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Noida, Ghaziabad and other bordering areas and the environment department has been asked to chalk out a detailed plan to identity locations where pollution monitoring devices would be installed for the second phase, said Transport Minister Gopal Rai. 

"Apart from Delhi, we will install air quality monitoring devices in NCR as well to check pollution in the city and bordering areas during second phase of odd-even scheme. There would be mobile vans to monitor the pollution levels, Rai said addressing reporters after the first coordination meeting to discuss the plan for the second car rationing scheme. 

In the pilot run of the odd-even formula, the AAP government had installed such devices at six locations of the Capital from January 1 to 15 to measure readings of pollution. 

The minister said that there will also be 20 mobile teams on different roads which will monitor air pollution across the capital, adding that sample taking will start from 10 days prior to launch of anti-pollution measure. 

On categories to be exempted from the restrictions the government will take a call by April 8 and issue a separate notification added Rai. Women and two-wheelers were among others who enjoyed exemption last time. In the next meeting the DMRC and traffic police will share their plans, he said.