To control the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Delhi government's odd-even scheme began at 8 am on Monday. This is the 3rd round of the odd-even implementation by the Delhi government, aiming to curb domestic carbon emission.
The scheme will be applicable from 8 am to 8 pm till November 15. It will not be effective on Sunday, November 10. On the first day of the odd-even scheme exercise, only even-numbered non-transport vehicles will be allowed on Delhi roads.
WHAT IS ODD-EVEN SCHEME?
The odd-even scheme is a traffic rationing measure by Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government under which private vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will be allowed on roads on odd dates and those with an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) on even dates. The rules will also apply to the vehicles with registration numbers of other states.
WHY ODD EVEN?
Pollution level in Delhi peaked to a three-year high on Sunday, while the Centre reviewed the situation with the governments of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab and announced that Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba would monitor it on a daily basis.
The air quality index (AQI) touched dangerous levels of 625 pushing Delhi back into the severe plus category after a brief respite on Saturday evening. There was some relief after sporadic rains on Saturday as the AQI fell below 400.
WHAT IS EXEMPTED?
The odd-even vehicle rationing scheme will only be implemented on "non-transport four-wheeled vehicles". Citing the burden on public transport, the Delhi government has exempted all the two-wheelers and emergency vehicles from the implementation of the scheme.
Vehicles carrying school students will be exempt from the rationing scheme. Women, too, have been exempted from the scheme. The electric vehicles will be exempted from the restrictions of the odd-even scheme.
The vehicles of Delhi police paramilitary forces, Army, Prime Minister, Union Cabinet Minister, Governors and President will also be exempted.
In case of a medical emergency, people will be allowed to move on the road with a self-declaration. Persons with disabilities and the vehicles carrying school students will be exempted from the rationing scheme.
STAGGERED WORKING HOURS OF DELHI GOVT OFFICES
This is the first time that the Delhi government has announced staggered working hours of its offices following the implementation of the odd-even scheme. The staggering of working hours is aimed at reducing traffic congestion and pollution in the city.
The working hours of a total of 42 government offices have been staggered, with 21 having office timings from 10.30 pm to 7 pm and the rest from 9.30 am to 6 pm during the implementation of the 12-day odd-even scheme.
The violators will be penalised Rs 4,000 by the enforcement agencies.
DELHI TRAFFIC POLICE DEPLOYED FOR SCHEME IMPLEMENTATION
The Delhi government has also deployed environmental marshalls who will check on the garbage burning and violation of the anti-pollution norms in the city.
"We will deploy 200 teams across the city for smooth implementation of the odd-even scheme," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Taj Hassan said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his entire cabinet ministers will also follow the odd-even formula. The chief minister, deputy chief minister and the ministers themselves will pool their car for the next 10 days.
Delhi government has roped in 500 extra busses for different routes to accommodate maximum commuters. The Delhi government has also held talks with app-based taxi providers who have ensured that there will be no surge pricing or overcharging by them during the odd-even scheme.