As the fortnight-long second phase of even-odd scheme ended on Saturday, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said it was a success with 99.6 per cent compliance rate of the vehicle-rationing rule. Delhi Chief Minister congratulated Delhiites for making the second phase of the scheme a “success”. “Today is the last day of Odd Even-II. Congratulations Delhi for again making it a success,” tweeted the Chief Minister.
Rai said that “the exam of second phase of the car-rationing scheme was difficult and Delhiites have passed despite challenges of hot weather and opening of schools, compared to the first phase.” A decision on the third phase will be taken after a comparative study of both the phases by an expert committee, he added.
The Transport Minister said that 99.6 per cent compliance rate of odd-even rule indicates that people followed the scheme and people “made history” by following the rule.
However, the Supreme Court on Saturday wondered why Kejriwal Government’s much-hyped odd-even scheme has not been able to reduce pollution level and steps taken to achieve ambient air quality standards seemed not to be working.
“Why no difference is made out in pollution level in Delhi, even after steps have been taken like odd-even scheme, diversion of trucks from the national Capital. What are the solutionsIJ” a Bench headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur asked while hearing a PIl filed in 1985 to check pollution levels.
After implementing two phases of odd-even scheme - first one in winter and the second one in summer with schools and colleges open, Rai said the Government will study both the models and only then a decision would be taken for the third phase of the odd-even scheme.
The Minister said, “8,988 vehicles were fined for violating the odd-even rule in the second round as a gainst 10,058 during the first phase”
Refuting the charges that people are buying two cars to beat the odd-even, Rai said that from January 1 to April 28 this year, 1,86,130 vehicles were registered but from September to December last year, 2,37,228 vehicles were registered.
Rai attributed the credit of the success of the scheme to civil defence volunteers, traffic police personnel.
“We will organise thanksgiving event on May 4 at Chhatrasal Stadium where civil defence and Delhi Police personnel, officials from DTC, Transport department, metro will be thanked for making the odd-even scheme a success,” the Transport minister said.
He also said the entire Delhi Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, will also be present during the event, adding that people, who followed the scheme, are also invited to attend the event.
During the first phase, Indraprastha Gas limited (IGl) had issued 39,000 CNG stickers but 28,000 CNG stickers were issued during April 15 to 28 . During the second phase, Delhi Metro did 3,248 trips more and on average and 26.29 lakh people travelled by Metro. About 38.46 lakh passengers travelled in DTC buses and 10 lakh in cluster buses (orange colour).
“After successful implementation of odd-even in Delhi, other countries like America, Russia and China have shown interest in the scheme to tackle increasing levels of pollution,” he said, adding, “The States like Haryana, Maharashtra and others are also planning to implement the scheme”.
“The six-member committee, which was recently constituted to study the impact of opening of schools and hot weather during the second phase, has been asked to do a comparative study on first and second phase of the scheme. It has been asked to submit its report on May 10,” Rai said, adding that the third phase would be decided after experts report.
However, both the Delhi Congress and the BJP dubbed second phase of odd-even scheme a total failure.
Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said that the second odd-even scheme was a total failure as the public transport system in Delhi was in a mess. Due to the large number of commercial vehicles plying in Delhi, the pollution level has gone up, he added.
However, Rai said, “Though air pollution remained high in borders areas, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data shows less pollution was observed in inner circle of Delhi.”
DPCC has been asked to submit its report on pollution level from April 6 to May 6 so that Government could get to know about the levels of pollution before and after the scheme, Rai said. The comprehensive data of pollution will be released on May 9, he added
“We had conducted a study of pollution levels at 74 locations, including NCR, during the second phase of odd-even scheme. Out of 74, 55-63 locations, which were inner areas, witnessed reduction in pollution levels while pollution level increased at only 10-15 areas which are located at border areas,” the Minister added.