The Delhi government’s big experiment to get private cars off the roads to check pollution levels in the national capital kicks off on Friday. Starting on a trial basis for fifteen days, cars with odd-numbered licence plates will only be allowed on the roads on odd-numbered dates and those with even-numbered plates on the others from 8am to 8 pm. Though the rule will not apply on Sundays.
Aimed at reducing pollution levels across the city, the initiative will run for an initial two-week trial period after which the government will take a call on extending it. The government also plans to shut down some coal-fired power plants and vacuum roads to reduce dust to combat the rising levels of pollution.
The Delhi government has said that the scheme could be introduced on a more permanent basis if it is a success. To send a strong message to people, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his cabinet ministers are carpooling to work.
Kejriwal will share his car with Transport Minister Gopal Rai and PWD Minister Satyendra Jain while Environment Minister Imran Hussain and Social Welfare Minister Sandeep Kumar will take an auto and a bus, respectively, to Delhi Secretariat. Kejriwal, Jain and Kumar live in North Delhi’s Civil Line area.
Also Read: The essential tools to help you handle Delhi’s odd-even experiment
Thousands of civil defence volunteers are being be deployed to assist the Traffic Police, enforcement teams of Delhi government’s transport department and authorised sub-divisional magistrates, to implement the scheme. The violators of the scheme will be fined Rs 2,000.
Delhi’s government has also hired 3,000 private buses and additional metro rides to cope with the extra rush due to lesser cars. Schools have been ordered to remain closed until the trial ends so that their buses can be pressed into action.
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