Odd-even phase 3 only after analysing reports, says Rai

New Delhi: Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Friday said the government will implement the third edition of odd-even scheme only after analysing report of its six-member committee and surveys of media organisations on the ongoing second phase of the car-rationing plan. [caption id=“attachment_2757014” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Transport Minister Gopal Rai. Getty Images[/caption] Rai said that after analysing surveys and reports, Delhi Cabinet will take a final decision on introducing the next phase of the car-rationing plan in the national capital. The government’s move came a day after the Transport minister appealed to newspapers and news channels to conduct an open survey on the existing odd-even scheme, alleging conspiracy is being hatched to “sabotage” the scheme. Last week, government had constituted a six-member committee, headed by Special Transport Commissioner K K Dahiya, to study the impact of the opening of schools and hot weather during the scheme and also suggest when the government should implement the next edition of the scheme. “We have decided to analyse surveys of media organisations which have been appealed by the government to conduct open surveys on second phase of odd-even scheme through various modes like SMS, field survey and others. “Besides, we recently constituted the six-member committee to study the impact of opening of schools and hot weather in its second edition. We will analyse both surveys of media organisations and our committee’s report. Thereafter, Delhi Cabinet will decide the fate of third phase of the scheme,” Rai told PTI. The minister said Delhi government is strengthening public transport system by introducing new buses so that people won’t have to face problems in the next phase of odd-even scheme. On Thursday, Rai had claimed that many people are following odd-even scheme. He had said that some TV channels are telecasting seven videos on traffic-congestion and seeing them, it seems that due to odd-even scheme, people are “facing a lot of difficulties”, but the real picture is different. “When we meet people, they say that odd-even scheme is good, but TV channels are showing different pictures,” Rai had said. Majority of respondents in an industry survey on ‘Odd-Even’ have favoured permanent implementation of the car-rationing scheme on Delhi roads. The poll conducted by PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry on over a thousand people in Delhi-NCR asked people to rate the scheme on various parameters including whether it should be rolled out on a permanent basis. “Majority of respondents want the rule to be implemented on a permanent basis as this parameter has scored 6.2 out of 10,” PHD Chamber said. Significantly, a majority of respondents also said there has been a decline in pollution levels with the implementation of odd-even formula, with this parameter getting a score of 5.8 out of 10. However, facilitation of public transport system has got a low score of 4.3 out of 10, indicating that it needs to be improved. “For the success of this rule, the public transport system needs to be strengthened so as to ensure connectivity to far away areas and availability of means of transport at every point. Also the office hours should be made flexible so that traffic is distributed evenly,” Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry said. Majority of people reported that their overall travelling experience with the advent of odd even rule has been easier, and gave it a score of 5.8 out of 10. Relaxation in traffic and reduction in time taken to reach the destination both got a score of 5.7 out of 10, as majority of respondents reported that the time taken to reach their destination has come down, though not considerably. “Although some parts of Delhi have seen reduction in traffic, yet some areas suffer from traffic congestion. Some parts of Delhi need proper regulation of traffic and better road networks,” Sanyal said. Respondents reported that they will not buy an additional car if the rule is implemented permanently as this has got a low score of 4 out of 10. This calls for efficient cab pooling system and sound public transportation system.