Delhi's odd-even formula: Second phase on cards, may do away with exemption to two-wheelers and women drivers

NEW DELHI: A largely trouble-free first day of the odd-even trial has set the government thinking of the next phase of the plan — one which could do away with the exemption to two-wheelers and women drivers, a concession questioned by the Delhi high court as well.

Friday showed that the city backed the government's campaign to fight pollution, so two-wheelers will not be exempt in the second phase, transport minister Gopal Rai said. As for leaving out women, "it's a mindset which needs to be changed", he said, adding, "over the past few days, many women have told me they will follow the odd-even rule even if they are exempt."

According to the transport department, more than 50 lakh of the 92 lakh vehicles registered in Delhi are two-wheelers. According to environmentalists, bikes and scooters emit nearly 32% of air pollutants generated by the transport sector in Delhi, and rank second only to trucks. Private four wheelers come third, contributing 22% of pollutants.

Despite the worrying numbers, the Delhi government kept two-wheelers out of the odd-even trial, citing lack of public transport. Rai had noted earlier that the exemption had led the government to halve the number of buses being bought to ramp up public transport. "Buses are the number one priority of two-wheeler drivers, while those driving four-wheelers would prefer carpooling, autorickshaws and the Metro before taking a bus. That is why only 3,000 buses are being procured for the campaign," Rai had said a few days ago.

On Friday, though, the minister appeared confident that the concession would go. "We are going by phases, and analysing the response. Today's response makes it clear that the city supports the campaign. We shall not keep two-wheelers out of the ambit in the next phases," he said.

On removing the exemption to women, he was more guarded. Rai said the government was "considering" bringing women under the odd-even scheme in the next phase. "There were several factors for keeping women out of the ambit of the scheme. But I have had several women calling me and promising to follow the odd-even rule despite being exempt. We will take a decision after January 15," the minister said.

Times View It was refreshing to see the Delhi government and the police working in tandem and AAP leaders even appreciating the role of the police on the first day of the implementation of the odd-even scheme. We hope this will be a sign of things to come rather than just an aberration. Delhi's citizens deserve to have all levels of government and their various arms working together to serve them as best they can.