Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said the odd-even rule will be implemented again, The Indian Express reported. The first phase of the rule will run till January 15, and the second phase will be discussed in a meeting to be held by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on January 18. The Supreme Court on Thursday backed the government, refusing to hear a petition challenging the Delhi High Court order and government's notification of the rule. The apex court added that its own judges have been carpooling to work and said people must cooperate with the government, while refusing to cancel the scheme.

Meanwhile, air quality in Delhi dropped on Wednesday, leaving the city engulfed in smog. Particulate matter readings were very poor, and only slightly above the severe category. The Aam Aadmi Party earlier defended implementing the odd-even rule and said that the air pollution levels had dropped after the rule came into force on January 1. AAP cited a report compiled by the Environment Pollution Control Authority, saying pollution has been at its lowest this season. However, data from the National Air Quality Index says otherwise, that levels of air pollution have not declined, a report in The Hindu claimed.

In a move to battle levels of pollutants, the government has also cracked down on Delhi Metro Rail Corporation construction sites, and asked 14 such sites to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 for violating norms to check dust pollution. Public Works Minister Satyendar Jain also said 42 other construction sites have been issued challans. Jain added that the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has been putting a stop to open burning of leaves. It has imposed a Rs 95,000 fine for those burning waste in the open.