Odd-Even rule may not be implemented this year: Gahlot
New Delhi: Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot on Wednesday said that the odd-even rule may not be implemented this year and that it will come into force only if required while speaking to Millennium Post's Aaisha Sabir, adding that the department is also looking to roll out six more automated driving test tracks by the end of the month. Excerpts:
What will be the transport department's strategy now that Delhi has completely opened up?
Buses have been operating with the new normal of 20 passengers in each bus. Metro has also resumed. We are hoping that the pressure which was being felt on the buses will be eased out soon.
Are you planning to increase the number of buses in the city?
The number of buses will remain the same according to the plan now. We are not planning to hire any more buses as we do when odd-even is implemented.
How will you provide public transport during this pandemic with odd-even being implemented when the time comes?
We do not know if odd-even will be implemented this year or not. When it happens we will work out something. There is no fixed plan that we have to implement odd-even, if required only then we will implement it. Anyway, during odd-even we hire more buses so we will hire if required.
Last year, we managed to get an additional 800 buses during the odd-even days. Since schools are shut and most likely it will remain shut we should be able to get many more this year.
What are the new projects that the Transport department is working on?
The usual procurement of buses is on. We will be inaugurating more Automated Driving Test Tracks. The aim was to have 10 of them out of which 4 are already operational, three or four will be inaugurated very soon and by the end of the month, the
remaining.
Any plans to enhance end-to-end, last-mile connectivity?
The last mile connectivity is an issue. The plans we had for enhancing it are complete. We just have to fine-tune it and roll it out. This would require rearranging all routes, procurement of small buses, and it will happen only in a phased manner. We have intentionally not rolled it out yet because changing routes will create more confusion. Anyway, we have fewer buses and on top of that, if we bring changes in the routes, it will create confusion. Till the end of the year, things will remain the same and next year we will see how to roll
it out.
Car fitness documents required for commercial vehicles like auto and taxi have been made free by the Delhi government but the 'brokers' in Burari have been charging a lump sum of 2500 and above. What do you plan to do about that?
People should not entertain such brokers for their convenience but I will look into the matter. We have made it free but I will look into the issue of these middlemen.
