Bringing the conversation around the Odd-Even scheme to an awkward pause a day after the second phase ended, air quality measuring devices have recorded a 23 percent increase in air pollution in New Delhi. ALSO READ: Since The Odd-Even Scheme Began, Delhi Pollution Has Actually Gone Up By 50% The data, put together by a Indiaspend.org with live monitoring through the Central Pollution Control Board, indicates that the scheme cannot be considered as a long-term solution to the Capital's air. Without additional action and better implementation of public transport systems, Delhi's residents will continue to suffer the poor air. During the odd-even period, 7 am was the worst hour in Delhi, based on hourly averages between April 15 and April 29, with PM 2.5 levels indicating “poor” air-quality levels of 124.3μg/m3, a 31% increase (94.67μg/m3) in the hourly average recorded at the same time before the rule was implemented from April 1 to April 14.

Delhi was reported to have more than 8.8 million motor vehicles as on March 31, 2015, registering an increase of more than 6 percent over the previous year.

Delhi’s transport sector produces six times as much greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as that of Kolkata’s, five times as much as Ahmedabad’s and three times as much as Greater Mumbai and Chennai.

The fire at the Bhalaswa landfill in New Delhi could also be considered a contributor to the poor quality of air.