Odd-Even Rule to be Enforced from 13 to 17 November

Yes, you read that right! The (in)famous odd even Delhi traffic rule is coming back. The odd-even scheme, which covers private cars will return soon to try and curb pollution. As you might be already aware, this traffic regulation scheme limits the usage of the car based on their registration numbers. The aim of the scheme is to reduce pollution caused by private four-wheelers. Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has reportedly written to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and senior officials of his ministry to be “fully geared up” for the introduction of the next phase of the much-publicized odd even Delhi traffic rule “as and when” the need arises to announce it again.

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The Odd-Even scheme is based on the last digit of a private car’s registration number. The cars with registration numbers terminating with an even digit were road legal on even days. Similarly, the cars with numbers ending with an odd number were to be used on odd days. This led to a substantial decrease in traffic.

Odd Even Delhi Traffic Rule 2017 – Dates

The Delhi Odd Even traffic rule will be imposed from 13 to 17 November. The Odd Even Delhi Traffic rule for 2017 will try to reduce the alarming pollution levels due to the deadly smog spread across the NCR. Like we said, the effectiveness of this scheme is highly questionable. Actually, most of the modern day cars emit much lower pollutants than old commercial vehicles. Actually, the Government needs to put a ban on commercial vehicles like old busses and three-wheelers running on Diesel. Also, even the two-wheelers are known to end up causing more pollution than passenger cars. This is simply because of their sheer volume. Finally, the major reason for Delhi’s pollution woes is the crop-burning that takes place in villages around Delhi.

Earlier, the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), which has been appointed by the Supreme Court of India to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle rising pollution levels, had said it won’t hesitate if it feels the need of implementing the third phase of Odd Even Delhi Traffic rule. As per Gahlot, the addition of new buses to the DRT fleet will be the “main component” to ensure commuters don’t face inconvenience in case the odd-even scheme is implemented again. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has already taken various steps to curb pollution in Delhi. One of the major highlights includes shutting the Badarpur thermal power plant and brick kilns. It also included banning Diesel-generators.

Odd Even Delhi Traffic Rule – History

The Odd Even Delhi Traffic Regulation was first launched in the Capital by AAP government in 2016. The rule came into effect after Delhi High Court directed the Centre and State governments to come up with a plan to check the rising levels of pollution in the city. It is said that the Kejriwal government in Delhi took inspiration from similar traffic regulation schemes that were used to put a check on pollution from cars in the city of Beijing. That said, the effectiveness of the first two phases of the Odd Even Delhi traffic scheme has been highly questionable. However, this scheme did help the government ease the heavy traffic situations in various part of the Capital.

Odd Even Delhi Traffic Rule -Exemptions

1. Vehicles of the President of India
2. Vehicles of the Vice President
3. Vehicles of the Prime Minister
4. Vehicles of the Governors of States
5. Vehicles of the Chief Justice of India
6. Vehicle of the Speaker of Lok Sabha
7. Vehicles of the Ministers of the Union
8. Vehicles of the Leaders of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
9. Vehicles of the Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories except Chief Minister of Delhi

10. Vehicles of the Judges of Supreme Court
11. Vehicle of the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
12. Vehicle of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha
13. Vehicles of the Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories
14. Vehicles of the judges of Delhi High Court
15. Vehicles of the Lokayukta
16. Emergency Vehicles i.e. ambulance, fire brigade andhospital, prison and hearse vehicles

17. Enforcement vehicles i.e. vehicles of Police, Transport Department, vehicles authorised by the Divisional Commissioner GNCTD, paramilitary forces etc.

18. Vehicles bearing Ministry of Defence number plates
19. Vehicles which are having a pilot/escort
20. Vehicles of SPG protectees
21. Embassy vehicles bearing CD numbers
22. Compressed Natural Gas-driven vehicles (these vehicles should prominently display sticker ‘CNG Vehicle’ on the front windscreen-issued by Indraprastha Gas Ltd.), Electric Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles

23. Vehicles being used for medical emergencies (will be trust based)

24. Women only vehicles – including children of age up to 12 years traveling with them.

25. Vehicles driven/occupied by handicapped persons.
26. Vehicles of Chairperson, Union Public Service Commission, vehicles of Election Commissioner/Election Commissioners and vehicles of Controller Auditor General of India

27. Vehicles carrying children in school uniform
28. Vehicles of State Election Commission, Delhi & Chandigarh, and vehicles deployed by the Commission with Election observers/Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers & Security vehicles etc.

via Financial Express