Odd-even returns: Second phase to be introduced from Apr. 15

Amid overwhelming response by the people to reintroduce the Odd-Even formula, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that the next phase of this scheme would be implemented for 15 days from April 15 this year.

"We will start the next phase from April 15. By then, the board exams will also be over. The next phase will be for 15 days from April 15-30," Kejriwal told a press conference here.

"We are seriously discussing if it can be implemented for 15 days every month. We will decide on this after the trial for the second phase ends," he added.

Kejriwal said that extensive surveys and data collection were done before arriving at this decision, adding that majority of the people wanted the scheme to be implemented on a permanent basis.

"In the last 15-20 days, the opinion of the people was taken. Opinions were collected over website and by conducting around 276 mohalla sabhas in which the local MLAs and SDMs were present. The opinions were also sought by IVRs and phone calls," he said.

"275 of the 276 mohalla sabhas wanted Odd-Even to continue. One mohalla sabha in Vishwas Nagar in which 15 people were present, eight people said that they did not want it to continue. If we compile all data, then 81 percent of the people have said that the Odd-Even scheme should be implemented," he added.

The Delhi Chief Minister said that 63 percent of the people responding to a question on website wanted the scheme to be implemented on a permanent basis while 26 percent wanted it to be implemented for 15 days in a month.

He, however, said that the scheme cannot be implemented on a permanent basis until the public transport system of the city improves.

"By May this year, we will get 1,000 more buses, By August, we will get 1,000 more buses and by December we will get 1,000 more. So, by the end of this year, we will have 3,000 more buses," he added.

The Odd-Even formula, aimed at curbing air pollution, was implemented on a trial basis from January 1-15 in the first phase.

Under the formula, odd-numbered four-wheelers were allowed to ply on odd dates and even-numbered vehicles on even dates.