Kejriwal welcomes CJI for backing vehicle plan

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday welcomed Chief Justice of India T S Thakur’s support to his government’s decision to allow even and odd-number vehicles to ply in on alternate days from January 1.

He also backed the judges’ plans on carpooling.The government has planned to allow private vehicles with odd registration numbers to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and even numbers on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

“Carpooling by judges would motivate other motorists to share their vehicles,” Kejriwal told reporters to supplement his tweet referring to the Chief Justice—“(His) support to odd-even formula is welcome and a huge encouragement.”

“Supreme Court judges pooling cars would inspire millions to follow. Thank you My Lords,” he said.

The Chief Justice, while taking over charge of the office on Sunday, said he would not mind walking down to the Supreme Court from his Motilal Nehru Marg residence or even boarding a bus for 3-4 km distance.

The even-odd formula is going to be tried out for about two weeks and depending upon the experience, it may be extended or scrapped. Pollution-causing  power generators are also on the radar of the government .

The government has also invited suggestions from people on measures to clean up the city’s air on email: [e-mail].

Meanwhile, details of the trial run of alternate number systems started emerging two days after the announcement which has evoked a mixed reaction.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain said Delhi ministers and officials would also be required to follow the even-odd number formula.

The government, according to sources, has plans to enforce the even-odd formula on vehicles coming from NCR towns as well.

Emergency vehicles like PCR van, fire tenders and ambulances may be exempted.
Kejriwal is likely to chair a meeting of environment and transport departments on Tuesday to discuss the trial run of the even-odd formula.

“The proposal is in a fluid state and depending upon the suggestions of experts and public, it may be conditioned for the trial run,” he said.

Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan, who is also an MP from Delhi, suggested a little more ground work on the odd-even formula to check air pollution.

“The state government should have taken more care on the possible legal implications of enforcing such a restriction,” he said in a TV interview.