Odd-even reduced traffic snarls in city significantly: CM

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said the implementation of the odd-even scheme in January did not lower pollution “as much as expected” but it significantly helped reduce traffic congestion in the city.

“Odd-even did lower pollution but not as much as expected, however, it significantly reduced traffic congestion, the roads were cleared and people liked it very much,” he said in reply to a question by a girl student at Sarvodaya Balika Vidyala here.

The odd-even scheme was implemented on an experimental basis from January 1 to January 15 in view of high air pollution in the national capital. The second phase of the scheme will commence on April 15.

Kejriwal said that a debate is going on regarding how much pollution was lowered during the trial of odd-even scheme in January and the estimates are varying.

Claiming that the sale of of petrol and diesel had gone down by 40 per cent during 15 day trial of odd even, Kejriwal added it is “natural” that pollution lowered as less fuel was consumed.

“We are considering implementation of odd-even scheme for 15 days every month, although we have not decided it, which will help in lowering pollution and provide big relief from congestion.” 

The government is taking other measures to check air pollution in the city including introduction of luxury buses with increased frequency to popularise public transport and vaccum cleaning of the roads, he said.

“In the next 2-3 months, we will ensure vacuum cleaning of over 1000 kms of roads in the city,” he said. 

Praising the school children for paying a “very important” role in the success of implementing odd even scheme in January, the Chief Minister asked them to convince their parents, friends and neighbours as well as violators on the roads to follow it during second phase beginning from April 15.

With the odd-even car-rationing scheme’s second phase set to roll out from April 15, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday exhorted school-children to encourage their parents to abide by the rules of the plan.

He said this during a picnic the city government organised for the children seeking to create awareness about the environment among them.

Rai asked the children to encourage their parents to follow the odd-even scheme in view of reducing the rising pollution level in the national Capital.

About 1,655 school children from 41 schools and their teachers attended the outing.

On this occasion, children presented street plays and recited poems on the theme of protection of environment.

The children also carried placards, posters, banners, paintings to give out the message to save planet Earth.

The government has exempted vehicles carrying children in school dress during the second phase of odd even which could pose difficulty, Kejriwal said suggesting car-pooling with neighbours to avoid problems. 

The second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme is to be implemented in the national capital from April 15 to 30.