The Arvind Kejriwal Government is mulling the possibility of exempting single women drivers and patients from the even-odd number scheme for private vehicles that will be implemented across the national Capital from January 1 on 15-day trial run.
This exemption for single women drivers is being considered keeping their safety in mind. However, the final decision on this will be taken by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by December 25.
“We are considering exemptions for single women drivers and patients,” Kejriwal said after coming out of a meeting with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday evening.
Kejriwal had met Rajnath Singh to seek his support for the implementation of the even-odd number vehicle scheme. “The Government has already made up its mind to exempt two-wheelers from this scheme,” sources said.
Besides, the Government is also deliberating the quantum of fine on defaulters caught driving on days that are not meant for them. Neither the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act nor Motor Vehicles Act have any provisions to fine defaulters of this new scheme, and any amendments to these two Acts can only be done by Parliament.
Delhi Government officials are also hard at work trying to come out with a feasible plan for implementing the scheme well before the December 25 deadline. Meanwhile, as many as 4,000 additional buses will be pressed into service by the Delhi Government, as part
of its efforts to strengthen the public transport system, from January 1.
The Government has tied up with the Delhi Contract Bus Association (DCBA), an apex body of contract carriage and tourist bus operators in Delhi.
“We had a meeting with the members of Delhi Contract Bus Association (DCBA) in the Secretariat following which details have been prepared.
“Around 4,000 extra buses will be on the roads between January 1-15 and they will be all CNG buses. To chalk out the details of the proposal, a committee has been formed,” Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday. These buses will run through Delhi Transport Corporation.
Rai added that on Thursday, the Delhi Government will hold a meeting with heads of schools in the city to see if school buses can be also roped in. The Minister also appealed to the people of Delhi to cooperate with the Delhi Government in its efforts to decongest the roads and combat pollution.