Decision on odd-even extension to be taken on Monday: Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal

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 here 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 November 4, 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 soar 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.