Odd-even formula: Restrictions will be based on dates, not days, says Delhi government

New Delhi: Clearing the air of confusion over the odd-even number formula, the Delhi government on Tuesday said that now it would be date-wise and not day-wise. [caption id=“attachment_2537946” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] “Odd-numbered dates will be for odd-numbered cars and even-numbered date for even number cars,” Delhi’s Transport Minister Gopal Rai said. “On 1 January, 2016, odd-numbered cars and two-wheelers would be allowed on Delhi roads, whereas on 2 January, the even-numbered vehicles would move. After receiving feedback, we’ve decided not to go for days but for dates to avoid any confusion.” The rule will be applicable between 8 am to 8 pm every day, and Sundays will be exempted of the number formula. Here’s what the Delhi government has planned: 1. Vehicles with odd numbers will be allowed on road on dates with odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9,11, etc) and vehicles with even numbers on even-numbered dates (0,2,4,6,8,10, etc). 2. Number will be based on the last digit of the vehicle as displayed on the number plate. Zero will be considered an even number. 3. The rule will be applicable between 8 am and 8 pm every day. 4. Sundays exempted. 5. The trial run of the formula will be between 1 and 15 January. 6. After discussion with the school bus-owners, additional buses would be brought on roads. 7. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will be asked to increase its frequency and extend its timing. 8. Awareness building exercise will be taken up at a bigger scale. 9. 1000 new buses in next three months. 10. A notice will be served in a week for closing down of Delhi’s oldest power plant at Badarpur and Rajghat, to curb pollution. 11. The government will come up with its complete blueprint by 25 December. 12. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a review meeting with all the stakeholders and agencies related to transportation. 13. 200 check-points in the city will be created to check pollution level. 14. Trucks will be allowed inside Delhi from 10.30 pm. 15. Exemption in the case of emergency, disabled persons, patients, etc. “The government have had a detailed discussion with the traffic police and they would do preparedness for the launch of this initiative. Like in the case of car-free day, civil defence will work along with police for proper functioning of the system. The CM has issued instructions to the PWD for taking steps towards pollution control. We’ll review all vehicles on public domain,” Rai said. At present, Delhi has 4,700 DTC buses, by which nearly 45 lakh people commute daily and there’s a requirement of 11,000 new buses. Delhi Metro has 216 trains and used by nearly 25 lakh passengers daily. Delhi’s former Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami remarked, “If the AAP-government succeeds in getting 1000 buses in three months, it’s a welcome step; but we need to wait and watch. But till then where those 50% people who won’t be able to drive or ride on a given day (due to odd-even formula) be adjusted? Do we’ve have enough buses, Metro trains, autos to ply them from 1 January? Before implementing this number formula, the government should have created an alternative public transport system to carry all those people who won’t be driving.”