New Delhi: The Delhi government is getting ready to test the ambitious Odd-Even formula for cars beginning Friday in its bid to curb growing air pollution in the national capital.
While there has been criticism of the plan, the preparations to implement the formula have also been steady with all stakeholders looking into minutest details to ensure the measure is implemented effectively.
The big question, however, is - are Delhiites ready?
Here's your one-stop guide to the Odd-Even scheme that will help you prepare better for being on the roads in Delhi for the next fortnight:
- The odd-even scheme would be implemented on a trial basis from January 1 to 15.
- Restrictions under the odd-even plan would apply only to cars.
- Restrictions would apply to private vehicles - public transport vehicles would not fall under the purview of the odd-even scheme.
- Two-wheelers will remain out of the purview of the formula, at least for now. However, there are indications the plan could be extended to cover two-wheelers as well later.
- Curbs on vehicles would be in place from 8 am to 8 pm from Mondays to Saturdays. No restrictions would apply on Sunday.
- As per the plan, cars with their registration numbers ending in odd numbers (mentioned on number plates) will be allowed on the roads of Delhi only on odd dates like 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.
- Similarly, cars with their registration numbers ending in even numbers will be allowed on the roads of Delhi only on even dates like 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.
- Cars coming in from the regions surrounding the National Capital Territory like Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad etc would also have to follow the guidelines.
- Those who violate the rules laid down under the scheme would be fined Rs 2,000.
- Schools in the capital would remain closed during the trial period.
- The Delhi government has come out with a list of 25 categories which will be exempt from the scheme. Among these are VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two wheelers and those carrying the differently-abled. To read the complete list, click here.
- Interestingly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that neither he and his family nor other Delhi ministers would be exempt from the plan. The CM added that they will carpool to work during the trial period.
- Kejriwal has sought cooperation from the public in Delhi for making the plan a success, while stating that the scheme may be discontinued if there are a huge number of violators.
- A woman driving a car, even while being accompanied by female co-passengers and children up to the age of 12, would be exempted. Initially, there was a plan to exempt only single women drivers.
- Cases of medical emergencies would also be exempted - in the words of Delhi CM - on the "basis of trust".
- Owners of CNG-fitted cars will need to paste prescribed stickers on the windscreen which are being issued by Indraprastha Gas Limited.
- Emergency and enforcement vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigade, police vehicles, hearse vehicles, transport department vehicles are out of the plan's ambit as well.
- Senior citizens, doctors, lawyers, who had petitioned the government seeking exemption, will have to abide by the regulations.
- Embassy vehicles bearing CD numbers, cars with defence ministry number plates, vehicles which are having a pilot or escort have also been exempted.
- The US Embassy here has backed the odd and even number car formula and decided to comply with the restrictions despite being exempted.
- There are over 19 lakh private four-wheelers registered in Delhi and nearly half of these are expected to go off the roads with the implementation of the odd-even formula.
- Around 5,000 civil defence volunteers would be on Delhi roads to assist police in implementing the odd-even scheme.
- Delhi Metro services would run at their peak frequency during the trial period.
- The Delhi government will run 3,000 additional buses to accommodate additional commuters. The government had originally planned to bring in an extra 6,000 buses.
- As per the blueprint, cars bearing odd number plates would not be even allowed to park in public parking lots during even number dates and vice-versa.
- Cars, if found parked on designated bus lanes being marked across the city, would also attract penalty.
