Mumbai unlikely to get odd-even formula owing to political differences

DNA India , Monday, April 04, 2016
Correspondent : NAZIYA ALVI RAHMAN
Despite the odd-even formula being a success in Delhi, Mumbai is unlikely to replicate it here owing to political compulsions. The ruling BJP government fears that its implementation will bring accolades to AAP government something it surely doesn't want particularly ahead of BMC polls due in 2017.

Sources claim that the transport department is instead coming up with arguments like how the formula can cause losses to the exchequer as it may affect the sale of VIP numbers like 0001, 0002, 9999, among others. Another argument is that the move may instead increase the sale of cars with people having two cars with each numberplate. These contentions were put before the committee formed under the chairmanship of Unified Mumbai

Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMMTA) which is studying implementation of odd-even formula as part of proposals for resolving transportation woes of Mumbai region. A comprehensive report on the problems is expected by May.

Soon after the formula was declared a success in Delhi a few legislators, including Shiv Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik gave a petition to the chief minister to do what Delhi has done. However, the BJP government was forced to consider the proposal when the Bombay High Court issued notices to the state government, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to report the feasibility of implementing a Delhi-style odd-even plying rule for private cars in Mumbai.

While directing the three authorities to respond the bench cautioned them saying if immediate steps were not taken to contain vehicular pollution in Mumbai, the city might soon witness a situation similar to the recent flooding in Chennai or the bad air quality in Delhi.

The Bombay High Court bench was hearing public interest litigation seeking a similar rule, contending that the residents of Mumbai faced health problems due to air pollution caused by carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles and burning of solid waste by the BMC.

On the other hand saffron party's counter part in Delhi have been very critical of the formula. A day before the odd-even formula was to roll out in the national capital, BJP had called it a "faulted" exercise that was "bound to fail".

As per the government data, the number of vehicles in the metropolis had crossed 2.5 million as on end-March 2015, mostly registered in the past decade. Of the 2.5 million, about 757,000 were registered in the island city, 1.17 million in the western suburbs and 573,000 in the eastern suburbs. There were 1.43 million two-wheelers and 800,000 cars. The number of city transport buses, taxis and auto rickshaws were 186,000.

 
SOURCE : http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-mumbai-unlikely-to-get-odd-even-formula-owing-to-political-differences-2197843
 


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