Will The Odd Even Rule In Delhi Work? – Why That Is Not The Bigger Question

Will it work? It Won’t work. The question that loomed over everyone’s head when the rule was announced the last time was not quite the romanticised version of plucking lilies to find that answer. Here we had an initiative which was actually the need of the hour, a drastic measure to cut down the rising pollution levels in the capital. Did it help? The answer to this question swung both ways depending on the political affiliations of those answering it, more than the ground realities. Now the time has come again to answer this question, but let us shift our objective to the bigger question.

What do we do to control the increasing pollution irrespective of the odd-even rule making a comeback? The fact that Delhi has dangerously high pollution levels which are leading to bronchial diseases, not just in adults, but also children, calls for some action. Even if the rule is declared a failure, this time, it will be heart-warming to see people following it for bigger reasons than a fine, like the last time. In our conversations with people of Delhi the last time (after they had finished with how ridiculous this rule was or how great a move it was), one thing was highlighted. People were ready to make changes for a better future. As Mr. Arvind Kejriwal put in his countless radio and TV ads –

Dilli ke log bahut ache hai (People in Delhi are very nice)

So for the “ache din”, what are the steps that the people in Delhi can take to walk the talk and not just sit on the sidelines and get into futile debates. Because it is not really about your political affiliations now is it? It’s one problem that unites everyone, to look for a solution.

1. Odd-Even Self Check- We could do it for 15 days (at least a lot of us could), we can probably try and voluntarily do it for as many days as we can. You might have found out your fixes for 15 days when the rule was implemented the last time. Whether it was pooling cars, using the public transport or working from home. Continue to exercise these options till at least you absolutely can’t, irrespective of the rule.
2. Use the public transport- The photos shared on social media and your WhatsApp of the countless heads fighting for space in the metro stations might have alarmed you. Try taking the metro in non-peak hours. Also, once the rule is lifted, the crowd will logically come down.  So on some days, use the public transport.
3. Cycle to work- The Delhi government has announced that it will put in efforts to make safe cycle lanes for people. With the number of cycling enthusiasts in Delhi increasing by the day, this is a great option as a transport. If the founder of a potentially billion dollar start up can cycle to work, so can others. As Abhiraj Bhal puts it

I cycle to work everyday because it has multiple benefits. It started of as fun and transitioned to wanting to stay fit. And now, it is somewhat the need of the hour. I stay close to work which is why it is easier. But I guess everyone who stays close to work can do it.

 4. Car Pool- Share your rides, the cab companies have already started to suggest that to you. It is also an option that goes easy on your pocket. You can also book a driver on demand from Urban Company and use the vehicle of anyone in your ‘car pool’ group, to take a break from driving.

5. Wake up – I am not being rhetorical here. Most companies offer a transport to pick one up from a point or a metro station. Use that service. All it takes is waking up earlier than you usually do and a little discomfort. This time, it really should not be about the 15 days, but for the long haul.

The odd-even rule is going to repeatedly make comebacks intermittently, but we hope that someday there would not be a need for a rule like this.