Delhi residents began the first week of 2016 with the odd-even car restrictions introduced by the state government to reduce air pollution. Many commuters saw a surprising reduction in traffic, but its effectiveness in cleaning the city's toxic air remains to be seen.
According to several reports, the measures helped relieve congestion from several major intersections. There was an increase in the number of commuters using public transport and carpooling apps. For instance, while the ridership of Delhi Transport Corporation buses went up from 3.5 to 4 million, that of Delhi Metro increased by 2,00,000.
"We are already seeing double-digit growth in demand across various categories, over the last week in Delhi NCR with tens of thousands of vehicles active on the Ola app," a spokesperson from the ride-sharing company Ola Cabs said.
On Twitter, several people tweeted about the relatively traffic-free roads and the considerably shorter time for commuting. There was also confusion after an old picture of over-crowding at the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station was circulated on social media, before it was revealed to be a hoax.
From Noida border to Connaught Place in 30 minutes, first time in years that I had a peak-hour ride without a traffic jam #OddEven
— Madhavan Narayanan (@madversity) January 4, 2016
Never seen Delhi traffic move so smoothly. Kolkata could use some #OddEven too— Flying Sam (@Naa_Cheese) January 5, 2016
Unbelievable, made it through Yusuf Sarai and AIIMS in literally *three* minutes, a stretch that can take upto 20! #OddEvenPlan #Delhi
— Poonam Saxena (@PoonamSaxena_) January 4, 2016
What a smooth drive frm sarita vihar to noida.Everyday this road used to be jammed! #OddEvenMovement #iPledge4PollutionFreeDelhi @RidlrDEL
— richa anirudh (@richaanirudh) January 4, 2016
However, air quality levels in the city remained poor due to western disturbances that resulted in low wind speed and increasing moisture levels. According to the System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research, the PM2.5 levels were at 250 and PM10 levels at 397 on Monday. On Tuesday, the PM 2.5 levels rose to 257 and the PM10 levels to 409.
"We need to divert diesel trucks, stop garbage burning, thermal power plant and polluting industries. Only making efforts in one sector won't improve the air quality," Vivek Chattopadhay of Centre for Science and Environment says. "This winter is the test case for what measures need to be taken to reduce pollution."
