Finally, the Delhi Government has unveiled its “blueprint” for the implementation of the much-talked about odd-even scheme for plying of private vehicles in the city to reduce pollution and will soon finalise penalty on defaulters. On Tuesday, the Government said the scheme will be in force from 8 am to 8 pm from January 1 for an initial period of 15 days and restrictions will not apply on Sundays.
“The odd-even formula will be implemented date-wise. The odd-numbered cars would be allowed on odd dates, like January 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9, and even-numbered cars on even dates such as 2, 4, 6 and 8. The complete blueprint of the formula will be out in the open by December 25 and it would be put on public domain to get public opinion and the results will be reviewed,” said Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai.
After a meeting, attended by all stakeholders, including the Delhi Police, the PWD and the Metro, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his Government was yet to take a call on whether the scheme will have two-wheelers within its ambit. The next high-level meeting is to be held on December 10.
The Government will soon come out with details of exemptions for those who are ailing and disabled, said Rai, adding that a decision on whether women will be included in the “exemption list” is yet to be taken. The Government is most likely to announce exemptions to vehicles used during the movements of President, Prime Minister, Ministers and fire tenders, ambulances, emergency response vehicles.
Reacting to the development, the Delhi Police officials sought more clarity on the issue. “However, the implementing authority (police in this case) is still not clear under what provisions of law they will prosecute offenders,” they said.
Senior traffic police officials who attended the meeting said implementing the scheme will be extremely difficult. “It may also lead to law and order problems and that is why the Delhi Traffic Police has expressed its apprehension. What worries them the most is how to execute the scheme and under which Act to penalise defaulters,” said a source on the condition of anonymity.
Though the Traffic Police has been asked to examine the scheme and come with suggestions after two days, there are reports that the Government is mulling to deploy civil defence volunteers to monitor the entry of vehicles for the first 15 days. Also, it plans to recruit environment volunteers to assist the people to implement the scheme.
“The Delhi Metro is working on a plan to increase its operational 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,” said the Minister, adding that the management of Badarpur thermal power plant, which the Government has decided to shut, has been given seven days notice to do so.
During trial, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will take samples to check air quality from around 200 spots across the city and the results will be put on display boards.
In a radical step to curb air pollution, the city Government on Friday had announced that private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers will be allowed to ply only on alternate days starting January 1.
