Women likely to be exempt in Delhi's second phase of odd-even traffic

Women are likely to remain exempted from the restrictions during the second phase of the odd-even traffic scheme which will start from April 15.

This emerged from a meeting which the Delhi government held with women representatives of various NGOs to seek their views regarding their exemption.

Most of the women representatives, citing security concerns, unanimously agreed that exemption should be given to them during the second phase as well.

Delhi's Transport Minister Gopal Rai said he would put the suggestions before a cabinet meeting on Wednesday where the final decision on the exemptions for the second part of the scheme would be taken.

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal, who was also present at the meeting, said she personally did not want any exemption.

"In the survey that the DCW conducted, more than 80 percent of the people asked for exemption. We have forwarded our recommendations to the Delhi government in favour of the exemption. I feel that women should also participate in the odd-even scheme but it should be voluntary," Maliwal said.

The second phase of the odd-even scheme will be implemented in the capital again for a fortnight from April 15. It was first implemented from January 1 to 15 this year with an intention to curb pollution in the city.

The Delhi government has already announced that CNG vehicles would remain exempted from the restrictions during the second phase.