Odd-even scheme to return from April 15-30 in Delhi; VIPs, women to be exempted: Kejriwal

New Delhi: Delhi government will bring back the odd-even scheme, aimed at curbing pollution, from April 15-30 in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday. 

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief made the announcement at a press conference today.

Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said as per the feedback received by the government, an overwhelming majority of the respondents were in favour of re-implementation of the scheme.

The Chief Minister said government was "seriously deliberating" on the idea of enforcing the scheme every month for a fortnight while admitting the city's public transport was not capable of handling the resultant passenger rush.

 

"The scheme will be implemented from April 15 to 30. The Board exams are getting over on April 12 and we will enforce the scheme thereafter. VIPs, women and two-wheelers will continue to be kept out of the ambit of the scheme," he said.

The Chief Minister said Government is procuring 3,000 new buses, including 1,000 luxury ones, which will be fielded by December as part of efforts to ramp up public transport. He said two-floor elevated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors will be constructed to augment transport infrastructure.

While addressing the media, Kejriwal said VIPs will be exempted in the second phase of odd-even formula.

"We will request VIPs to follow the (odd-even) system. But we will keep the exemptions. The more the VIPs follow it voluntarily, it will be good," Kejriwal asserted.

The Delhi CM assured the Delhiites that the government would increase the number of DTC buses.

The CM maintained that single women motorists and two-wheelers will continue to be exempted under the scheme.

The decision to implement the odd-even the scheme has been taken after taking feedback from the public.

The CM, in a separate interaction with senior editors, had earlier said the scheme will not be permanently enforced as doing so will make people look for ways to beat the system, including bribing policemen.

"The biggest argument in favour of implementing the scheme every month for 15 days is that one individual will not face trouble for more than seven days due to the nature of the scheme. If Delhi's people support us, it can be implemented," he said.

The AAP leader added that about 500 retired military personnel would be recruited to enforce the odd-even curbs in April.

He also said that government is procuring 3,000 new buses, including 1,000 luxury ones, which will be fielded by December as part of efforts to ramp up public transport.

He said two-floor elevated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors will be constructed to augment transport infrastructure. 

He said most people in Delhi wanted exemption given to the VIPs in January to go.

Kejriwal indicated he was not ready for this. 

The first phase of odd-even scheme was implemented on a trial basis from January 1-15 in its first phase.

(With Agency inputs)