Govt on overdrive to make 'odd-even' formula a success

Chief Minister Arvind today recorded an audio message urging people to give the 'odd-even' restriction on plying of vehicles a chance while top officials met to work out its modalities even as the Delhi Police said that they have not yet been approached by the government seeking assistance in enforcement of the rule.
Delhi Home Minister Satyender Jain, however, asserted that police is a part of government and "not the government". It is police's responsibility to implement the law enacted by the government, he said.
In his message, which will be released tomorrow, Kejriwal sought support of people for the proposal's success and has said it will be applicable to him and all the ministers as well, a senior government official said.

Amid debates over the practicality of the proposed alternate-days rule for plying of vehicles in the streets, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that government will come out with a "foolproof plan" before December 25.
Jain also told a TV channel that the odd-even formula will not be applicable on two-wheelers running in the national capital, which was later downplayed by the government, saying the details were yet to be worked out.
"The odd-even formula will only be applicable on private cars plying in Delhi. For now, the movement of two-wheelers, taxis, autos will be not be restricted on alternate days under this formula," the minister told a tv channel.

Kejriwal has called a review meeting with concerned ministers and officials tomorrow wherein the detailed plan will be put before the CM. Ahead of that, a preparatory committee, chaired by Jain that has prepared a detailed report on the matter, met.

Jain is also scheduled to meet Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari tomorrow.
Meanwhile, a senior official of Delhi Traffic Police said that there is no clarity till now regarding the legal provisions under which people who violate the odd-even formula will be prosecuted.
"They (the government) are yet to approach us for a reasonable discussion on the scheme, which is imperative for its implementation," he said.

Amid all these, the air quality plunged into the 'severe' category in places across the city, with real time readings showing PM 2.5 five times above the prescribed limit at times, which has the potential to affect healthy people and "seriously impact" those with existing respiratory ailments.