Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his cooperation on the ‘odd-even’ initiative, and said directives or a public appeal by him in this regard would have a “major impact”.
In the letter, Kejriwal informed the Prime Minister that he, along with his colleagues, would carpool to office during the January 1 to January 15 period when the vehicle rationing scheme will start. He also urged the Prime Minister to request Union Ministers and secretaries to do the same.
Kejriwal said the AAP Government had to resort to the “unexpected and disagreeable decision” in order to mitigate air pollution in Delhi, which has assumed “dreadful proportions”.
“People will surely have to face some difficulties in the wake of its implementation… We are all answerable for this problem and we can find out a solution together only,” Kejriwal wrote in the letter
He further explained, “The Delhi Government is taking a lot of steps in this regard and has decided to implement the odd-even measures on an experimental basis. The blueprint is being worked out but it has already been decided that autos, cabs, public transport, ambulances, and emergency vehicles will be out of its ambit,” he added.
In a radical step to curb air pollution, the AAP Government had announced that private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers will be allowed to ply only on alternate days starting January 1.
Kejriwal Government also started car-free day on designated stretches during the in the city, said if the experiment meets success then “we may repeat it in the future”.
“I want to request you through this letter to inspire your Ministers and secretaries to observe the same. This will send out a good message to the residents of Delhi and our efforts will get support. I believe that if there is a directive or appeal from your side to follow or comply with these rules than it will have a major impact,” Kejriwal stated.