Traffic concerns behind CNG vehicles' non-exemption from odd-even

Amid the imposition of odd-even scheme in Delhi and the questions raised against its efficiency, the Delhi government on Wednesday submitted to the Delhi High Court that CNG vehicles were not exempted from the odd-even as they would have caused traffic congestion owing to their sheer numbers. Delhi government's reply was in response to the batch of representations that challenged the implementation of odd-even in Delhi. The odd-even scheme which was put to force in the national capital from November 4 and will go on till November 15 aims at reducing the pollution level in the city. 

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'CNG vehicles will lead to traffic congestion,' says Delhi Govt

Earlier, Delhi High Court had disposed all the petitions challenging the scheme and had instructed the Delhi government to consider them as representations. The HC had also instructed the government to take a call by November 5. The AAP-led Delhi government on Wednesday responded by saying, "In order to achieve the objective of the scheme which is to reduce pollution by reducing the number of vehicles on road, there should be minimum exception. Large number of CNG vehicles will affect the efficiency of the scheme as it will lead to congestion on the road." The government further added, "two-wheelers were exempted from the scheme as they constitute 66 per cent of the total fleet in Delhi and if they were not exempted it would cause serious troubles to individual citizens and the public transport as well." In response to the petitions that challenged exemption of women drivers from the scheme alleging 'discrimination based on gender,' the Delhi government said women drivers were exempted because of their safety and security concerns. 

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'Delhi people have shown compliance'

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in a press briefing on Monday said that the people of Delhi have shown 100 per cent compliance with the odd-even scheme. Sisodia accounted that only 192 violations have been observed until 5 pm on Monday and said that people of Delhi have happily accepted the scheme to fight against pollution in the national capital. He also said that the pollution levels in Delhi have deteriorated compared to Sunday and odd-even is a factor behind the decrease in pollution level.

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