Kejriwal says not possible to impose odd-even on two-wheelers

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday ruled out including two-wheelers in the odd-even scheme saying if this is done without improving the public transport system there would be “chaos” and “complete anarchy” on the city’s street. 

He also termed as “false” the perception “held by many” that two-wheelers were excluded keeping Aam Aadmi Party’s votebank in mind. 

He said strengthening of public transport would require at least two years. 

“Two-wheelers were not excluded because they are vehicles of the poor. The reason is when we analysed data of odd-even phase one we saw that ridership in metro and bus had increased by 0.7 per cent and 5 per cent only. People who left their cars went for carpooling. 

“Buses were even empty and metro had crowd like usual times. If two-wheelers are included, around 40 lakh of which ply in Delhi everyday, people will go for metros and buses and we don’t have that much capacity. There will be chaos and complete anarchy on the roads,” Kejriwal told an event organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) here. 

“Till the time we don’t bring buses, which will require at least one-and-a-half to two years even if done in war-footing, we cannot include two-wheelers. It’s not about vote bank as people cutting across classes and religion voted for us and gave us 67 seats,” he said. 

Even as there were various disagreements between CSE director Sunita Narain and CM Arvind Kejriwal with regards to levels of pollution, recent move by the Delhi government to lower VAT on diesel and unsuccessful steps of PUC certificate by the Delhi government, the efforts by the Delhi government in tackling pollution was lauded.        

Addressing the session, Sunita Narain highlighted that dust, vehicular pollution, trucks and illegal industries and garbage burning are the major contributors to pollution in Delhi. 

She also highlighted that even though stringent measures by the Centre and state government had 

reduced the number of trucks plying in city, the two wheels also required to be tackled as they cause more pollution than four wheelers. 

She also highlighted dust, especially the fly ash materials, in areas like Badarpur require immediate attention from the government.

Narain and her deputy, Anumita Roychowdhury, stressed on the usage of diesel claiming that it was a poor quality fuel that was still being used and also that diesel is carcinogenic.

Kejriwal highlighted that the odd-even formula was successful in Delhi because of the process of engagement and communication.

To improve the situation, Kejriwal highlighted steps like revamping BRT with elevated and dedicated bus corridors, introduction of bus aggregator system and redesigning of 10 PWD roads on pilot basis and greening of 1,260 kms of PWD roads. 

He also highlighted the loopholes in PUC system saying that even though it was centralised, many people have been successful in maneuvering the system and got certificates for the polluted vehicles.