Encouraged by the success of odd-even formula, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said a review meeting will decide on the second phase of the odd-even scheme. He also announced that a thanksgiving event will be organised by the Government for residents of the city as well as all the stakeholders who have made the road rationing scheme a “success”.
The Minister said a review meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been called on Monday to decide on the issue of second phase of the scheme.
“In the review meeting, we will review the impact of the last 15 days during odd-even car rationing scheme. On the basis of review, a final decision on the future of odd-even scheme will be taken. Apart from this, we will discuss measures to make Delhi pollution-free,” Rai said.
Meanwhile, a highly placed source said many within the Government were of the view that the odd-even formula should be implemented for a period of not less than three months across the city. But experts are said to have opined that before taking any such decision, the Government should ensure that public transport was in order and last mile connectivity was available in the entire city.
The source further said talks were also going on at Players’ Building that the Government could convene a special session of the Delhi Assembly to discuss the future course of odd-even formula. “Once there is a thorough debate in the House, then and only then any concrete measure will be taken.”
A bureaucrat said the Government was discussing to bring in a policy through the Assembly so that it does not face much criticism from those who are likely to be affected by it. He said, “The Government can easily counter the argument against the odd-even policy by saying that the decision had been taken by the lawmakers, who have to face people in their day-to-day works. So, the legislators would be taking decision which is in the interests of the citizens of the city. Otherwise, they are bound to face flak in the next Assembly elections.”
The Minister said the Government will organise the thanksgiving event at Chhatrasal Stadium on January 17 to thank those who participated in making odd-even a success.
He further said the entire Delhi Cabinet, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will also be present during the event in which officials from different departments including civil defence, SDMs, tehsiladar, traffic police, transport department, drivers and conductors of DTC, Cluster and DMRC will also be present.
Apart from these departments, bus owners who have given their vehicles for odd-even scheme, will also participate in this programme. Besides, he would also appeal to the people of Delhi to participate in the programme.
last week, Rai had asserted that the Government has no intention to take the road-rationing experiment beyond January 15. The pilot plan for cutting vehicular emission was launched on January 1.
“Government is neither going to extend odd-even scheme beyond January 15 nor finish it before the 15-day trial period,” Rai had said.