The Arvind Kejriwal Government is planning to enforce even-odd scheme on a regular basis. This was revealed by the Chief Minister on Saturday. Responding to a question, Kejriwal said that the Delhi Government is “seriously” mulling a proposal to enforce the odd-even scheme for 15 days every month.
Addressing a Press conference detailing about the modalities for the next phase of odd-even scheme, Kejriwal said a fortnight every month was being thought of since it cannot be made permanent in the absence of a robust public transport system.
The notification on second phase of even-odd scheme which will be enforced in the city for a fortnight from April 15 is to be issued soon after approval of the lieutenant-Governor, said Kejriwal. This time, the Government has decided to exempt people carrying children in school uniform in car. A total of 30 categories have been exempted from the ambit of odd-even restrictions, he added.
The list of exemptions includes VIP and CNG cars, vehicles being driven by women, medical emergency vehicles and cars carrying disabled persons.
Kejriwal admitted that implementing the exemption to cars carrying children in school uniform would be tricky as not all such vehicles stay put to take students back to home. “There are two types in this case. In one case, a vehicle drops a child to school, stays put, and brings him back. But there are cases where a child may not be in the car on one side of the journey. It will cause a little trouble,” Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister advised parents to explore the car-pooling option or “adjust” their children with neighbours. The Chief Minister said the trouble for them “won’t be much” as there are only nine working days during the fortnight in which the second phase of restrictions will be in force.
“We thought about it. But then it is mainly women who pick up children after school hours and they are exempted in any case. An individual won’t face trouble for more than four to five days,” he said.
Kejriwal also urged the Union Ministers, who have been given exemption under odd-even scheme, to voluntarily follow the car-rationing experiment. “Although the Union Ministers have been exempted from the ambit of odd-even scheme, I urge them with folded hands to follow the scheme voluntarily as several judges, who had been given exemptions from the first round of odd-even scheme, had done,” Kejriwal said.
According to draft of the notification, violation of even-odd scheme will attract a fine of Rs 2,000 in accordance with the provisions of sub-Section (1) of Section 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
“Further in exercise of the powers conferred by sub Section (1) of Section 200 and Section 213(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 (59 of 1988) read with rule 123 of the Delhi Motors Vehicles Rules 1993, the lieutenant Governor of the National Capital Territory of Delhi is reported to have authorise officers of the rank of Head Constables and above of Delhi Police, officers of the rank of Head Constables and above of the transport department and officers or authorities as authorised by Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) to challan vehicles violating the even-odd scheme,” the draft notification said.
Kejriwal also launched a helpline for ‘odd-even’ part two. “People can call on 011-422400400 if they have any questions related to odd-even traffic scheme.” The second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme will start on April 15 and will continue for a fortnight.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are geared up to tackle any extra rush as commuters turn to public conveyance during the period when the odd-even scheme is in force. “Metro will increase its trips to 3,248 per day and add 30 coaches. There will also be extra security and ticket counters at Metro stations,” Rai said.
Some of Delhi Government Ministers was of view that Union Ministers should not be given exemption in the lines of Chief Minister and Ministers of Delhi. But the same was turned down by Kejriwal.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) will gauge the impact of the second phase of the odd-even plan on the capital’s air quality at 119 locations in and around the city.
The even-odd schemes have tried by 15 cities across the world, which include Beijing (China), Paris (France), Mexico, Bagota, Milan (Italy) and Rome (Italy). While some cities saw genuine reduction in pollution levels, the policy has failed in many other cities, as people found a way to circumvent the rule by purchasing two cars with number plates ending with odd and even numbers.