The second phase of the odd-even scheme for cars in Delhi was described as a temporary measure for reducing air pollution in the city by Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forests and Climate Change on Friday.

“All States are free to implement own measures and policies but the odd-even is a temporary measure. The permanent solution is what the government has done in bringing forward the date of launch for Bharat VI,” the Minister told reporters on the sidelines of the 22{+n}{+d} BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Thursday.

Under the odd-even formula cars with odd and even number plates would be allowed to ply on the roads on alternate days. This was first tried in the Capital for 15 days starting January 1. The second phase of the scheme would start on April 15.

Earlier, the country was expected to bring in Bharat VI emission norms vehicles as well as vehicular fuel in 2021. It is now, however, being expedited and is expected to be launched in 2019. The country currently follows Bharat IV norms and will completely skip the Bharat V stage, which was proposed for 2017.

The more stringent norms of Bharat VI will be the equivalent of Euro VI norms, which are already in place in Europe since 2014.