While unveiling the blueprint for the odd-even formula that comes into effect from January 1 for 15 days in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday pinned his hopes on the goodwill of the commuters to make the scheme successful. VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two-wheelers, commercial and emergency vehicles, and those carrying the differently-abled are among 25 categories which will be exempted from the ambitious scheme, Kejriwal announced.
Violators would attract a penalty of Rs2,000, he told reporters at his residence here while listing out those out of the ambit of the scheme which includes vehicles of President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Governors, Chief Justice of India, lok Sabha Speaker and Union Ministers, leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
While claiming that his Government has taken a difficult decision to implement a scheme which was being debated for many years, he added that the Government cannot do it alone and would need the cooperation of all the residents of Delhi.
Under the ambitious scheme, the Government hopes that around 10 lakh private vehicles will go off the roads between January 1 and 15 as only even or odd numbered vehicles will be allowed to ply on alternate days. The restrictions will be applicable between 8 am and 8 pm on six days a week, excluding Sundays.
While the vehicles of Governors and lieutenant Governors and Chief Ministers of States will be exempted from the restrictions, Kejriwal excluded himself from the privilege along with his Ministers and MlAs of Delhi.
“Vehicles of all the Chief Ministers of States, except the Chief Minister of Delhi, will be exempted from the restrictions,” Kejriwal said, adding that he, along with his Ministers, will car-pool during the restriction days.
Making an appeal to those whose vehicles are exempted to voluntarily follow the even-odd formula, Kejriwal also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urge his Ministers to follow the rules voluntarily. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that a “strong message” would go out if the Chief Justice of India carpools to work.
As The Pioneer reported on Thursday, cars driven by women and having women passengers (and children up to 12 years of age) will also be exempted from the restrictions. CNG vehicles, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles will also be exempted. However, CNG vehicles will have to prominently display a sticker on the front windscreen issued by Indraprastha Gas ltd.
Kejriwal added that incorporating two-wheelers may be considered in the second phase.
Emergency vehicles (hospitals, prison and fire department vehicles), enforcement vehicles (police, transport department, vehicles authorised by Divisional Commissioner Delhi and paramilitary forces) will also be exempted. Apart from that, vehicles of Ministry of Defence, vehicles having pilot/escort vehicles, embassy vehicles and SPG protected vehicles would also be able to ply without any restrictions.
In case of a medical emergency, any vehicle can be used and will be “trust based”, Kejriwal added.
He said that the Government has received all the necessary approvals to implement the scheme, including that of the lt Governor, and a notification for its implementation would be issued on Monday.
While hopeful about the fate of the ambitious scheme, Kejriwal admitted on a cautionary note, “If the number of violators is huge, it will mean that the public at large in the national capital are not in favour of the scheme and it will be discontinued.”
“Such schemes are enforced only during peak pollution periods across the world. There is a need for a cultural change for it to be successful as merely the fear of punishment would not work,” he said.
The Government announced that failure to comply with the odd-even formula will invite a fine of Rs2,000 under subsection (1) of Section 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Officers of the rank of head constable and above of Delhi Police and Transport Department will be authorised impose the fine. Officers authorised bu Divisional Commissioner of Revenue Department can also impose the fine.
Apart from relying on a hefty fine of Rs2,000 to dissuade drivers from violating the odd-even scheme kicking off from January 1, Delhi Government has also decided to use parking lots as an effective means to ensure compliance. According to the blueprint revealed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday, cars banned on a particular day won’t even be allowed to be parked in public parking lots on that day.
While urging people to carpool on the days of the restrictions, Kejriwal admitted that there is a need to boost the public transport system as well.
“About 4,000 to 5,000 additional buses will be put on the road, which include school buses and chartered buses, to meet the demand. Metro will run on its peak frequency. 10,000 new permits have been issued for auto-rickshaws. And I hope many of them will start running before January 1. PoochO App is also launched using which you can call an auto to your residence. Car-pool app will also be launched in a couple of days,” he said.
Nearly 10 lakh private cars are expected to stay off Delhi roads daily once the odd-even formula is enforced, with drastic reduction in traffic flow expected to significantly reduce the high-level of pollution in the city. There are over 19 lakh private four-wheelers registered in Delhi and nearly half of these will go off the roads with the implementation of the AAP Government’s ambitious odd-even formula.