NEW DELHI, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- India's top environmental court, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), on Saturday allowed the Delhi government to implement odd-even car rationing formula to control the pollution from Monday.
However, the court banned all exemptions granted under the Odd-Even formula.
"What is the basis of exemptions if you want to improve air quality," the court told Delhi government.
Deadly blanket of smog is enveloping the Indian capital city for the sixth straight day.
The green panel said the government's odd-even formula should come into effect every time the particulate matter (PM) 10 exceeds the level of 500 and PM 2.5 rises above 300.
The NGT's nod has come a day after it asked the Delhi government to submit data or studies on the basis of which it has planned to introduce the odd-even car rationing formula from next week.
However, as per new court order CNG vehicles, emergency services such as ambulance and fire will be exempted from odd-even scheme.
The decision to impose the formula was made in wake of rising air pollution levels in the national capital.
Under the arrangement, private cars with odd registration numbers are allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered cars would ply on even dates.
Since Tuesday morning Delhi has been covered with thick smog, following which health officials issued advisory to elderly and children to avoid venturing out.
All schools in Delhi, adjoining areas and Punjab were closed until Sunday amid pollution.
The entry of trucks except those carrying essentials has been banned in the national capital, besides work on civil construction sites was suspended.
Delhi is considered to be the most polluted city in the world. Last year the city's high court described the capital as "gas chamber."
Air pollution is a leading cause of premature death in India. Pollution in Delhi gets aggravated during winter months. Ahead of winters people burn agricultural waste to clear cropland, which contributes to the choking of already polluted air.
