Odd-Even rule in Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal says final call on extension of scheme to be taken on Monday as air quality likely to improve

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said a final call on extending the odd-even scheme would be taken on Monday as the air quality is expected to improve in the next two-three days.

“We do not want people to undergo unnecessary inconvenience,” Kejriwal said at a press conference on Friday.

“Air quality is predicted to improve over the next two-three days. A final call on extending the odd-even scheme will be taken on Monday,” he said.

The road-rationing scheme rolled out on 4 November, ends on Friday.

“The residents cooperated very much in implementation of the scheme. There were 250-300 challans every day, which are very less considering the population,” he said.

On Friday, the air quality index remained in the ‘severe’ category at 466 at 11.30 am as a thick layer of toxic smog enveloped Delhi for the fourth consecutive day, leaving scores of people with a sore throat, itchy eyes, breathing problems and dry cough.

On Thursday, a number of children had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his urgent intervention to mitigate the air-pollution crisis, which has led to a health emergency-like situation.

The chief minister also blamed stubble burning in neighbouring states as the reason behind increased levels of pollution.