Delhi odd-even blueprint unveiled: CM Kejriwal, AAP MLAs not exempted

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is due to announce the blue print of the odd-even scheme, which aims to curb rising pollution in the city, on Thursday.

Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday formally unveiled the blueprint for the introduction of the 'Odd-Even Formula for vehicles that will ply in the city and those coming in from the National Capital Region (NCR) from January 1 to January 15, 2016.

The scheme, which aims to curb rising pollution in the city, can be implemented further if it is successful during the 15-day trial period.

Addressing a press briefing, Delhi CM said, “Though a lot of things related to our odd-even formula is in public domain, we are making a formal announcement on it today. A detailed blueprint will be released on Monday.''

''A trial of the odd-even scheme will run till January 15. It will be effective from 8 am to 8 pm. The formula would not be applicable on Sundays. Odd number cars are to ply on odd dates and even numbered cars on even dates,'' the Delhi CM said.

Elaborating on the odd-even formula, Kejriwal said, “Women drivers and CNG-certified vehicles will be given exemption from Delhi government's ambitious odd-even scheme.''

He further said that the emergency vehicles, ambulance, fire, hospital, prison, hearse, enforcement vehicles, vehicles of paramilitary forces, Ministry of Defence, pilot and escort, vehicles of SPG protectees, vehicles bearing diplomatic corps registration numbers and those on way to hospital for a medical emergency carrying proof, would also be exempted from this rule.

The Delhi Chief Minister also informed that the vehicles of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Governors of states/ Lt Governor, Chief Justice of India, Union Ministers, Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Chief Ministers of states except Delhi, judges of Supreme Court and High Court, Lokayukta will be exempted from the odd-even rule.

Stressing on car pooling, the Chief Minister said that a car pooling APP will be introduced in two-three days. I appeal to people to avoid giving lifts to strangers for safety reasons, he said.

Talking about fines for defaulters, Kejriwal said, ''Rs 2000 fine will be imposed on people who will violate the rules.''

According to the plan, the owners of CNG-fitted cars will need to show prescribed stickers.

"CNG vehicles which will have to display the certificate, electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles and women drivers with a male child up to the age of 12 will also be exempted from this rule" he added.

"Vehicles from other states entering Delhi will also come under the ambit of odd-even scheme," he said.

During the announcement, the Delhi CM admitted that the implementation of the odd-even formula will increase the burden on the Delhi's public transport.

Pressure on public transport will be too much if everybody rushes to it and the only practical solution is car pooling, Kejriwal said.

Seeking people's cooperation for the success of the odd-even formula, Kejriwal said, ''Government can take up an initiative but everyone needs to participate in Delhi to make those initiatives successful.''

The Delhi CM, however, said that there has been a lot of talk so far on odd-even formula but no government has had the guts to bring it into effect.

Making an appeal to Delhiites, Kejriwal said, ''We have to make this people's movement. Odd-even scheme can't be forcefully implemented. I appeal to people of Delhi to follow this. This scheme is for you, for your children.''

Earlier this month, Kejriwal had announced that he, his ministers and all government officials will follow odd-even scheme.

According to the government's plan, it will run 6,000 additional buses to accommodate numbers of passengers after the implementation of odd-even scheme.

Nearly 10 lakh private cars will daily stay off Delhi roads once the odd-even formula is enforced with drastic reduction in traffic flow expected to significantly reduce the high-level of pollution in the city.

There are over 19 lakh private four-wheelers registered in Delhi and nearly half of these will go off the roads with the implementation of AAP government's ambitious odd-even formula.

Importantly, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to give interim stay on AAP government's plan to impose the odd-even number plate formula for plying of private vehicles from January 1.