Odd-even panel submits report, says it was 'successful'

The six-member panel formed to study the impact of schools and hot weather conditions on the second phase of the odd-even scheme, submitted its report to the Delhi government on Wednesday.

The report said the second phase of the road rationing policy was "successful". However, the hot weather conditions and schools resulted in more number of vehicles on the road.

The report revealed that there was an additional volume of 3,88,886 cars (private cars and car pooling), 1,34,598 two wheelers and 8,000 buses on the roads.

The panel, headed by Special Commissioner of Transport K.K. Dahiya, carried out surveys around six random schools and noticed that the area in the vicinity of the schools witnessed congestion as students used cars and other private vehicles to commute.

"Schools being in session during odd-even phase II was found to be a major reason of congestion in vicinity and roads where the schools are situated. Around five to six kilometres of the area around the school witnessed heavy congestion. It was not noticed during the first phase since the schools were shut for winter vacation", read the report.

The panel further said that construction activities in Delhi also added to the congestion.

"Major construction activity at Bhairon Marg, Rao Tula Ram Marg and dismantling of BRT corridor is found to be a major bottleneck which disrupted the traffic very adversely and it had a cascading effect in a radius of almost 8-10 kms" it said.

The committee also observed that there was a minor decrease in the number of vehicles entering Delhi from the satellite towns of Gurugram (Gurgaon) and Noida.

"The data obtained from DND fly way indicated that 16,224 cars entered Delhi from Uttar Pradesh during two days of odd-even between 8.30 am to 10.30 am whereas 18,071 cars entered during two days after the traffic scheme at the same time. Similarly, on NH-8, 20,427 vehicles entered Delhi from Gurugram on one day while 23,613 vehicles entered after the odd-even," the report added.

The report further said that approximately 30,000 CNG stickers were sold during the second phase which meant there were as many numbers of additional cars plying on the road.

The second phase of odd-even traffic scheme commenced on April 15 and continued till April 30. The government will take a decision on the third phase of odd-even after studying the report.

--IANS

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