High Court refuses to stay AAP’s odd-even formula for plying vehicles

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to give interim stay on AAP government’s plan to impose the odd-even number plate formula for plying of private vehicles from January 1.

A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath declined the request made by one of the five petitioners that the court should at least grant stay on the implementation of the government’s idea till January 6, which has been fixed as the next date of hearing on the PILs.

“Sorry. We do not know whether it (the odd-even formula) will be implemented or not. The Delhi government has not yet come out with any scheme on this issue,” the Bench said, adding, “As of today we cannot grant such relief.” Meanwhile, women drivers and CNG-certified vehicles are likely to be given exemption from Delhi government’s odd-even scheme coming into force from January 1 in the national Capital.

During the 15-day trial, motorcycles and emergency vehicles including ambulance, PCR, fire tenders, will also not come under the ambit of road-rationing experiment.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will announce the blueprint of the odd-even scheme on Thursday which aims to prevent rising pollution in the city.

“Women drivers will be exempted under the scheme but they will be penalised if any male member is travelling along. Women drivers travelling only with female members will also not be considered a violation,” sources said.

They said that according to the plan, owners of CNG-fitted cars will need to show prescribed stickers. Violation of the odd-even rule will attract a penalty of Rs 2,000. “Vehicles from other states entering Delhi will also come under the ambit of odd-even scheme. Government has also given an exemption to bikes from its ambitious plan,” they also said.