Understanding the Delhi Odd Even Scheme 2025
If you live in Delhi or visit often, you might have heard about the Odd Even Scheme. Because of high pollution levels, the Delhi government plans to bring back this vehicle rationing system from November 13 to November 20, 2025. This scheme helps reduce traffic and pollution by limiting vehicles on the road based on their number plates.
Overview of the Odd Even Scheme
The Odd Even Scheme is a simple way to control traffic and cut down pollution. Vehicles with odd-numbered registration plates can run only on odd dates, and those with even-numbered plates can run only on even dates. This plan was first started by Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in 2016 and is used during days of high pollution.
After a high-level meeting led by CM Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the return of this scheme for a week in November 2025, aiming to improve Delhi’s air quality after Diwali.
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Why is Pollution High in Delhi?
Delhi faces heavy air pollution especially during winter. On one recent Monday morning, pollution levels were nearly seven to eight times above the safe limit. The Central Pollution Control Board reported the air quality index reaching 488, which is very unhealthy.
Main reasons include car emissions, weather conditions that trap pollutants, burning of crop stubble in nearby states like Punjab and Haryana, and firecrackers after festivals.
Reports on Pollution Situation
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee says pollution usually peaks between November 1 and 15 when stubble burning is worst in Punjab and Haryana. On a recent Sunday, over 4,000 farm fires were reported in northern India, with Punjab alone reporting more than 3,200 cases. This worsens the air quality in Delhi and nearby areas.
How the Odd Even Scheme Will Work in November 2025
During the one-week scheme in November 2025, you need to follow these rules:
- Cars with licence plates ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) can drive only on odd dates: November 13, 15, 17, and 19.
- Cars with licence plates ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) can drive only on even dates: November 14, 16, 18, and 20.
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Penalties for Breaking Odd Even Rules
If you break the Odd Even Scheme rules, you may have to pay a fine of ₹4,000. This amount was raised from ₹2,000 in 2019 to make sure people follow the rules properly. The Delhi Traffic Police will enforce the law and issue fines when needed.
Although this scheme helps reduce pollution and traffic for short times, experts have mixed opinions. Some feel it successfully cuts down vehicle emissions temporarily. Others suggest focusing more on promoting electric vehicles and phasing out vehicles that use polluting fuel.
To help improve Delhi’s air, the government has also stopped polluting trucks and other commercial vehicles from entering the city until air quality gets better. Only electric vehicles, CNG cars, and those following BS VI emission standards are allowed in Delhi during this time.