Delhi to take odd-even decision tomorrow
February 10, 2016  16:35
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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".
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