Odd-even car rule to run from 8 am to 8 pm, says Delhi govt

Govt yet to decide whether the scheme will have the two-wheelers on its ambit

The odd-even scheme for plying private vehicles in the city will be in force from 8 am to 8 pm from January 1 for an initial period of 15 days and there will be no restrictions on vehicular movement on Sundays, the Delhi government said on Tuesday.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also decided to enforce the restrictions date-wise as even numbered cars will be allowed to ply on even dates and odd-numbered ones on odd dates.

After the meeting, which was attended by all stakeholders, including Delhi Police, Public Works Department and Delhi Metro, Kejriwal said his government was yet to take a call on whether the scheme will include two-wheelers in its ambit.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said the government would come out with a blueprint by December 25 which will answer all questions being raised.

He said the government would soon come out with details of exemptions, like those who are ailing and disabled. A decision on whether women will be included in exemption list is yet to be taken.

He said the management of Badarpur thermal power plant, which the government has decided to shut, has been given seven days notice to do so.

“The Delhi Metro is working on a plan to increase its operational frequency. We have also decided to bring 1,000 new cluster buses to augment public transport, and have decided to involve around 9,000 private buses, including those serving schools for ferrying passengers,” Rai said.

He said the Delhi Pollution Control Committee will take samples to check air quality from around 200 spots across the city and the results will be put on display boards. Rai said the government would review implementation of the scheme after January 15. The fine on violators has not yet been decided, he added.

In a radical step to curb air pollution, the city government on Friday had announced that private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers will be allowed to ply only on alternate days starting January 1.