PIL seeks stay on Delhi govt's odd-even formula aimed at curbing pollution

New Delhi: A day after the Delhi government released the details of the odd-even number plate formula to curb pollution in the capital, a public interest litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court on the matter.

The PIL, which will be heard on Wednesday, seeks a stay on the Delhi government's decision to allow even and odd number cars to ply in the city on alternate days.

As per the policy, odd-numbered cars will be allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Delhi's roads while even-numbered vehicles will run on the other days - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Sunday is likely to be exempted from the restrictions on plying of private vehicles.

Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said the government will only allow emergency vehicles like PCR van, fire tenders, ambulances on the roads of the national capital on all days.

Jain, who is also PWD and Health minister, said there is a need to take strict measures to clean the city's toxic air and even-odd formula will also be applicable on all ministers and bureaucrats in the national capital region.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on Saturday said that the government would discontinue the move after 10 to 15 days if people faced problems.

"On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, odd numbered vehicles will be allowed on roads in a week.

"Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will have even numbered vehicles on roads, and we don't care about which cars belonged to whom," Jain said.

"Odd-Even formula will also be applicable on all ministers and officers. I will also use my car on alternate days and will use carpooling service on other days," Jain said.

On December 4, the AAP government had come out with a plan of restricting private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers to alternate days from January 1 in the national capital.

(With PTI inputs)