Odd-even: HC seeks clarification over exempting women, two wheelers

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought clarification from state government on giving exemption to single women drivers and two-wheeler users from odd-even scheme.

A division bench of Justice Hima Kohli and Sunil Gaur also asked Delhi government to submit data on the pollution levels and vehicles plying during trial period of odd-even scheme, mooted by the city government, to be implemented between January 1 and 15.

The court, however, refrained from passing any order on the plea seeking restriction of the movement of cars driven by women and two-wheeler but asked the state government to clarify "why such exemption is necessary".

It also refused to allow another plea requesting to exempt advocates from the city government's vehicle restriction plan and said that if such plea will be allowed then judiciary will be flooded with litigation from doctors and other officials, who have not been included in list of exempted categories.

The court, which was hearing various application regarding odd-even scheme, listed it for January 6 for further hearing.

The high court on December 9 refused to restrain the city government from enforcing its decision to allow even and odd number cars to ply in Delhi on alternative dates, saying the decision is on a "trial basis".

Private vehicles with odd and even registration numbers will ply on odd and even dates, respectively, from January 1 here. According to the city government, the restrictions will apply between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. There would be no restrictions on Sunday.

The odd-even plan for four-wheeled vehicles, unveiled by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is aimed at reducing pollution in Delhi.

Delhi government in the proposed scheme of things to limit cars with odd and even numbers on alternate days has exempted any car carrying a patient or being driven by single women.