Delhi govt's odd-even number cars comes under attack in RS

Raising the issue during Zero hour, Congress said it is an 'arbitratory' and 'impractical' decision

Delhi government's decision to allow odd-even number cars to ply on alternative days from next month today came in for sharp criticism from Opposition in Rajya Sabha, which dubbed it as "impractical and weird" and called for its reconsideration.

Raising the issue during Zero hour in Upper House, Pramod Tiwari (Congress) said it is an "arbitratory" and "impractical" decision that would cause major inconvenience to people in Delhi which does not have a robust public transportation.

"This is a serious issue. We don't want to see a law and order situation and the Government of India should issue an advisory on this," he said, adding that other countries implemented such an idea after developing public transport.

He sought to know how this kind of idea can be implemented when the state has not improved basic public infrastructure.

Echoing his views, Karan Singh (Cong) said "it is very weird and unusual suggestion. Something has to be done. This suggestion should be reconsidered and other alternatives should be thought about to address pollution."

To this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "It relates to the decision of the Delhi government. We have to address pollution. In theory, we accept it, but the suggestion is impactical."

However, Jayaram Ramesh (Cong) disassociated with his party colleague on the issue saying air pollution was a serious issue. There is "no harm in trying for some days" the idea of allowing odd-even car numbers to ply on alternative days.