Rediff.com » News
Delhi to take odd-even decision tomorrow
February 10, 2016
Delhi's government has promised the capital a big Odd-Even announcement tomorrow. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia said he was sure Delhi would be pleased.
He
bases that confidence on the overwhelming feedback he claims the
government has received that the city is waiting eagerly for round two
of the formula that allows only odd-numbered cars on the roads on odd
days and even-numbered cars on the other days.
"Dilli mangay dil se, Odd-Even phir se (Delhi wants odd-even
again, from the bottom of its heart)," Sisodia told NDTV as the
government began a meeting of all departments to review suggestions it
has received on the scheme that ran for 15 days starting January 1 this
year.
Over 12 lakh suggestions
were received on the government's website and 200 jan sabhas or citizen
meetings will be held in the capital to review the feedback, Sisodia
said.
The Delhi government has already indicated that Odd-Even, designed to
cut Delhi's infamous smog, will return in April. Sisodia said today
that the Aam Aadmi Party government wants to launch round two after the
Board exams for class 10 and 12 that begin in March, so that students
are not inconvenienced.
The jury is still out on whether Odd-Even, which meant fewer cars on the
roads between 8 am and 8 pm, indeed improved the air quality in the
world's most polluted capital. But fewer traffic jams were reported in a
city that adds over five lakh cars every year.
On February 14, the government of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal
completes a year. Its ministers will sit on stage and answer calls from
citizens in what will be the centrepiece of the anniversary
celebrations.
Opposition parties are unlikely to join, but the Congress, which had won
not a single assembly seat in last year's election, plans to send Mr
Kejriwal 21,000 roses with a card that will read, "Ek Saal Dilli Behal".
© 2024 Rediff.com