The Arvind Kejriwal Government may exempt two-wheelers from the even-odd number vehicle scheme that will be implemented across the national Capital from January 1, 2016 to reduce air pollution, despite the fact that two-wheelers account for 31 per cent and cars are responsible for 20 per cent of vehicular pollution in the city.
Top sources told The Pioneer that the Delhi Government is planning to exempt motorcycles and scooters from the scheme and the final decision would be taken before December 25, after consultation with all stakeholders.
As per Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s plan, odd-numbered vehicles will be allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while even-numbered vehicles will run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Nearly 88 lakh vehicles are registered with the Delhi Transport Department, out of which over 56 lakh are two-wheelers and the rest are cars and others are four-wheelers.
According to the Centre for Science and Environment, two-wheelers account for 31 per cent of the pollution whereas cars and other four-wheeler vehicles are responsible for 20 per cent of vehicular pollution.
According to the Delhi Statistical Handbook 2014, 32.44 lakh two-wheelers were registered in 2006-07; 43.42 lakh in 2010-11 and 49.62 lakh registered till 2012-13. In 2013-14, the total number of registered two-wheelers touched 56 lakh. This means on an average, there is an increase of over six lakh two-wheelers per year since 2010.
A senior Delhi Government officer said on the condition of anonymity, “What is the point of exempting two-wheelers which emit more pollution as compared to four-wheelersIJ”
“The purpose would be defeated if the Government exempts two-wheelers from the scheme,” said former Secretary (Transport), adding that heavy duty vehicles emit 28 per cent pollution; light goods vehicles emit 11 per cent; CNG-run buses seven per cent and auto-rickshaws three per cent.
However, the final decision on this exemption for two-wheelers will be taken by Arvind Kejriwal as soon as the high-level committee set up by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government for the purpose, has received suggestions to this effect.
Meanwhile, Kejriwal has directed PWD Minister Satyendra Jain to coordinate with Transport Minister Gopal Rai and Union Ministries to prepare a blueprint on the even-odd number vehicle scheme.
The committee held a meeting with Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of Transport, Environment, PWD and Revenue departments to chalk out the strategy for implementing the alternate-days rule for plying of vehicles in the city’s streets.
The committee has prepared a detailed report on the implementation of the scheme and it will soon be placed before the Cabinet.
Amid heated debates over the practicality of the proposal, Gopal Rai has stated that the Government will come out with a “foolproof plan” before December 25. Kejriwal has called a review meeting on Tuesday with Ministers and officials concerned wherein the detailed plan will be put before him.
Meanwhile, a Public Interest litigation challenging the AAP Government’s decision has been filed in the High Court and it is listed for hearing on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Home Minister Satyender Jain said it is the “responsibility” of the Delhi Police to implement the formula in order to curb air pollution in city. Interestingly, four days into the announcement, the AAP Government is yet to approach Delhi Police to discuss the formula.
“They (the Government) are yet to approach us for a reasonable discussion on the scheme, which is imperative for its implementation,” said a senior official of Delhi Traffic Police.
In a related development, Jain will meet Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday to urge him to speed up the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expessways to reduce the pollution levels and vehicular burden on the Capital’s roads.
The Eastern Peripheral Expressway is still on paper while only 35 per cent of the work on the Western Peripheral Expressway is complete. The concessionaire of Western Expressway had gone to arbitration in this case.
