New Delhi: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Saturday welcomed the Delhi government`s decision to curb unbridled pollution in the national capital by plying odd and even number vehicles on alternate days in the city.

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The Delhi government on Friday said odd and even number vehicles will ply on alternate days in the city from January 1. The announcement has drawn flak from several quarters.

In a statement, the CSE said it welcomed the firm decision of the Delhi government to cut down traffic volume, eliminate emissions from coal powered plants and push for tighter emissions standards to curb killer air pollution in the city.

"These measures promise to catalyse change needed to bend the curve of ever rising air pollution levels in the city and prevent premature deaths and illness," a CSE spokesperson said.

The organisation also welcomed the decision to shut down the Badarpur power plant.

The CSE`s executive director-research and advocacy and head of its air pollution control unit Anumita Roychowdhury urged the Delhi government to detail out an effective implementation strategy and organise public outreach for glitch-free implementation.

"Alarming trends in air pollution levels in the capital city and its devastating impacts on public health have made the city desperate for urgent solutions. Such choking peak levels demand aggressive and drastic immediate measures," Roychowdhury said.

"Small incremental steps will not help. If the public demand for clean air has merited this action, this needs even stronger public support to make it work as well," said Roychowdhury.

The CSE said halving the traffic volume and cutting out coal power emissions will have significant impact on pollution.