Delhi's 'odd-even' formula to follow dates; restrictions on cars from 8 am to 8 pm

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said after a meeting chaired by CM Arvind Kejriwal that the restrictions would be in place from 8 am to 8 pm.

New Delhi: The Delhi government on Tuesday announced that a revised odd-even formula for cars aimed at curbing pollution in the national capital. The formula would initially be tested from January 1 to 15.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said after attending a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that the restrictions would be in place from 8 am to 8 pm.

Rai further said that cars having number plates ending in odd numbers would be allowed on cars on odd dates like January 1, 3 and 5, and even-numbered cars on even dates like January 2, 4 and 6.

"It will be date-wise," Rai said, days after the government announced odd numbered vehicles would ply on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and those with even numbers on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

No restrictions, however, would be in place on Sundays, the minister said.

Addressing the press, the minister said they would assess the system on January 15 and further announcements will be made afterwards.

Rai said the government would announce in a few days a list of those who would be exempted from the ban.

There has also been no decision yet on the hundreds of thousands of two-wheelers which environmentalists say also contribute to pollution and need to be curbed.

The complete blueprint for the ambitious odd-even formula - including categories that would be exempt - would be ready by December 25, the minister said.

The Delhi government said it had held detailed discussions with Delhi Traffic Police and Delhi Metro in a bid to coordinate what is expected to be a mammoth exercise.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a further review meeting of all departments on December 10.

Rai said 1,000 low-floor buses would be bought immediately in a bid to meet the need for more public transport when the number of vehicles fall steeply on the roads from January 1.

Delhi has nearly 90 lakh registered vehicles, almost a third of them cars. Some 1,500 new vehicles are added every day.

(With agency inputs)