THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 17 September 2019 (Clearing the air (Indian Express))

Clearing the air (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 3: Environment
Prelims level: Odd-even rule
Mains level: Measures needed to combating air pollution

Context

• Almost four years after it was first implemented in Delhi, the odd-even scheme will make a comeback in the city.

Combating with pollution

• Delhi Chief Minister announced that the road rationing scheme will be a part of a seven-point programme to combat pollution.
• The scheme will be implemented when Delhi’s air is at its worst post-festival pollution combines with smog from stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh particulate matter from tailpipes of vehicles.
• In the last three years, the government resorted to knee-jerk reactions which did very little to improve the city’s air quality.

Implementation of Odd-Even scheme

• The road rationing scheme allows vehicles to ply on alternate days, depending on odd and even number plates.
• It was introduced in 2016 as a desperate measure after the Delhi High Court asked the state government to submit a time-bound plan.
• A fight between the Delhi government and NGT came in the way of its implementation in 2017.
• The NGT said that any relaxation would come in the way of improving the city’s air quality. But the government wanted exemptions for two-wheelers.
• The government argued that Delhi’s public transport wasn’t equipped to handle the fallout of extending road-rationing to two-wheelers.

Way forward

• The government has nearly two months to iron out glitches and sort out differences that could come in the way of smooth implementation of the plan.
• It needs to ensure that the city’s public transport system is able to meet the needs of commuters on days when their vehicles will be off the roads.
• The odd-even scheme is not a magic bullet to clean up Delhi’s bad air. But the scheme is a part of a bouquet of pollution-control measures.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to Higgs Boson, consider the following statements:
1. The Higgs boson is an elementary particle produced by the quantum excitation of the Higgs field.
2. It was the last hold-out particle remaining hidden during the quest to check the accuracy of the Standard Model of Physics.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C
Mains Questions:
Q.1) Odd-even policy is no magic bullet to tackle pollution. But it is sure to trigger a conversation about Delhi’s environment. Comment.