Kejriwal: Not possible to bring bikes under odd-even plan

 Two-wheelers cannot be brought under the purview of odd-even scheme as it will lead to “chaos and anarchy” on roads, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. 

He added that Metro and DTC buses are not prepared to take the “additional load” of people who stop using their two-wheelers, which can only be exempted after improving public transport.

“When we analysed the data from phase one of odd-even, we saw that the number of commuters in Metro and buses had increased by 0.7% and 5% only because people who left their cars went for carpooling. But around 40 lakh two-wheelers ply on roads daily and if we ask 20 lakh people to leave their vehicles on alternate days, there will be chaos and anarchy on roads. It can only be done after improving transport which will take two years,” he said.

Kejriwal was addressing a crowd at an event organised by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Earlier, during the discussion, the CSE had said the two-wheelers pollute more than private cars.

The chief minister also said that while there are different views on the impact of the scheme on pollution levels, “even the worst reviews have said that pollution was down by 15%”.

However, CSE Director General Sunita Narain, contested the claims.
“It would be wrong to say that pollution came down by 15%. But the scheme has brought a positive impact in other ways. The pollution reached a peak in December but in January it did not go that high even when the weather conditions were same. So, this was because of the odd-even scheme and is an achievement,” Narain said.

She, however, cautioned that the scheme cannot be rolled out on a permanent basis and has to be used only as action during emergency.

“It is not a permanent solution. It can only be done when peaks are very high. Whenever you introduce it, you have to do it effectively and bring even two-wheelers under its purview,” she said.

Further, the chief minister said that the government is going to announce an “aggregator policy” for an app-based bus service in the next two days.

The government is seeking participation of private players who will offer bus services.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that on Tuesday, the road rationing scheme eased traffic congestion across the city, save five ‘busy’ stretches where traffic is crawling due to ‘local problems'.

However, pollution levels were recorded on the higher side and twice the permitted standards, despite the odd-even formula. The average air quality was recorded as ‘very poor’ at 8 pm in the capital, according to SAFAR website. Experts blamed it on “nil” wind speed.

Meanwhile, a day after the AAP government said that it will take strict action against cab companies that levy peak time charges, 18 cabs were impounded on Tuesday.

Rai also said that Metro ridership during the peak hours on Monday morning saw a minor surge of 3%, compared with last Monday’s figures. The DTC claimed it ferried over 42 lakh passengers, over 2.5 lakh more than the previous Monday.