Odd-Even Update: Women Drivers, No Exempt?
We’d mentioned before that the odd-even scheme would be back, and at the time it sure felt like everything was in place. It has been finalized now that the CNG cars will be exempted from the scheme. However, it seems like the decision on whether women will still be exempt is yet to be finalized.
The Transport Minister, Gopal Rai, has said that the decision will be made “soon,” and that while he is “personally in favor of it”, the opinion was pretty divided according to the results of the survey they (AAP) undertook. They will release the final statement on Apr 8. Mr Rai also said that he will write to the governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh urging them to create awareness on the guidelines of the road rationing measure under which cars with odd and even license plates ply on alternate days. Meanwhile they’re going to start monitoring the air from Apr 6, and will continue to do so till Apr 30. *Fingers crossed* The Registration of additional buses that will be providing the service during the odd-even period, has already begun.
It has also been planned to involve ex-servicemen who are to be deployed along with civil defense volunteers. At a meeting of the coordination committee that comprises members of different government departments, the decisions were taken.”On April 13, volunteers as well drivers of DTC and Delhi Metro officials among others will assemble at the Chhatrasal stadium and take oath to make the drive successful”, Rai said. Delhi government is also planning to launch a publicity campaign, ‘Dilli bole dil se, odd even phir se’, from April 1, during which mediums like television, radio and advertisements on buses and metro will be used to reach the masses.