Odd-even scheme restrictions from 8 am to 8 pm: Delhi govt

The odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles in the city will be in force from 8 am-8 pm from January 1, 2016, for an initial period of 15 days and restrictions will not apply on Sundays, the Delhi government said on Tuesday.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also decided to enforce the restrictions date-wise as even numbered cars will be allowed to ply on even dates and odd-numbered ones will ply on odd dates. After the meeting, participated by all stakeholders, including Delhi Police, PWD and Metro, Kejriwal said his government was yet to take a call on whether the scheme will have the two-wheelers in its ambit.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said the government would come up with a detailed blueprint by December 25 which will answer all questions being raised by experts and public. He said the government would soon come out with details of exemptions like for those who are ailing and disabled. A decision on if women will be included in ‘exemption list’ is yet to be taken.

“The odd-even scheme will be in force from 8 am-8 pm and there will be no restriction on Sundays,” Rai said. He said the management of Badarpur thermal power plant, which the government has decided to shut, has been given seven days notice to do so. “The Delhi Metro is working on a plan to increase its frequency. We have also decided to bring 1,000 new cluster buses to augment public transport. We have also decided to involve around 9,000 private buses, including those serving schools, for ferrying passengers,” he said.

He said the Delhi Pollution Control Committee will take samples to check air quality from around 200 spots across the city and the results will be put on display boards. Rai said the government would review the implementation of the odd-even scheme after January 15. He said the fine amount to be slapped on violators has not been decided yet.

In a radical step to curb air pollution, the government on Friday had announced that private vehicles bearing odd and even numbers will be allowed to ply only on alternate days starting January 1.

 

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police on Tuesday said they have taken note of the AAP government’s odd-even formula of restricting the movement of private vehicles in the Capital from January 1. “We have taken note of the scheme but some more clarity is needed in the matter, for which another meeting will be held on December 10,” said Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander.