In this column, Rukmini S and Samarth Bansal opine that “while the Delhi government’s spirit of experimentation is to be lauded, the right lessons need to be learnt from the odd-even trial.”
The authors explains that according to data and findings “It is now amply clear that no credible data supports the Delhi government’s claim that the odd-even trial has reduced pollution or improved air quality.” Still, “None of this is to say that the experiment should not have been conducted; on the contrary, in fact. India’s federalism allows for a vast array of public policy experiments, and the Delhi experiment is one of the few related to environmental pollution in India. The Aam Aadmi Party’s ability to take bold steps, convince people to take ownership of these steps, and force both a conversation and behavioural change is truly remarkable.”
They conclude, “The greatest success of the scheme has undoubtedly been the fact that emergency levels of pollution are now being hotly discussed by citizens. The AAP government has before it a unique opportunity, which it should not squander away by asking the wrong questions or refusing to hear the answers to its questions.” The Hindu. Read the full column on delhiair.org.
delhiair.org - be informed and active about air quality in New Delhi, India 