Fine money collected during odd-even scheme to be used to subsidise cycles

NEW DELHI: The Delhi transport minister, Gopal Rai, reiterated on Saturday that the oddeven plan will not be extended beyond January 15. He was responding to speculation in the media in this regard. TOI had correctly reported on Saturday that the government won't extend the plan beyond January 15. A day after presenting its case in the Delhi high court regarding implementation of the odd-even scheme, the AAP government seems firm on continuing the drive till next Friday.

"The reports from various environment monitoring agencies is very encouraging. We are collecting data from various parts of the city. We will plan the second phase only after analyzing the data collected in the last 15 days," said Rai. "I want to clarify that we are neither going to extend it beyond January 15, nor discontinue it before the set date."

Speaking to reporters, Rai announced that in order to encourage the use of non-motorised vehicles in the city and keep pollution in check, the AAP government will be giving a subsidy on the purchase of bicycles. The penalty amount collected by the government during the odd-even scheme's implementation will be used for this purpose. "The collection from fines will be used for giving subsidy on purchase of bicycles. We want people to immediately start using cycles in their colonies and for short distances. This will help in bringing down pollution levels. The government plans to construct cycle tracks on arterial roads," said Rai.

This is easier said than done and will need good road engineering. The BRT cycle tracks were invaded by all kinds of vehicles and it was difficult to continue beyond the corridor. Also, the experience of DMRC and other agencies in giving cycles on rent has not been very encouraging. There are cycling clubs in NCR which, however, indulge in their passion only when traffic is thin and on weekends.

Till Friday , 5,893 vehicles had been challaned, of which 1,943 were autos. Of the 5,893 challans, 2,912 were issued by area SDMs, 2260 by traffic police and 2,664 by the enforcement wing of the transport department. The government has received 13,528 calls on its two special helpline numbers for the odd-even plan.Interestingly , only 395 were complaints. The government plans to deploy more civil defence volunteers at congestion points like ITO, Ring Road, Ashram, Nehru Place, New Friends Colony etc.