The Delhi government formally notified its ‘odd-even’ formula. Announcing the modalities of the plan, which is aimed at battling record levels of pollution in the National Capital region, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also announced a list of vehicles that would be exempt from the scheme.
As per the formula, vehicles with registration number ending with an odd number will be allowed on odd-number days and those with even numbers will be allowed on even-number ones.
Cars of many dignitaries, two-wheelers, CNG-run vehicles, emergency vehicles and those driven by women drivers (with no men passengers and with only children below 12 years of age) and cars driven, or occupied, by differently abled persons are exempt from the rule, which is set to roll out on January 1, 2016.
Following is the list of vehicles that would not have to stay off Delhi’s roads on alternate days:
All CNG-driven vehicles (will need to produce certificate)
Electric vehicles
Hybrid vehicles
Two-wheelers
Vehicles driven by women, with only women passengers
Vehicles driven by women, with children below the age of 12
Those on way to hospital for medical emergency (should carry proof)
Vehicles of physically challenged
Emergency vehicles – Ambulance, fire, hospital, prison, hearse, enforcement vehicles, etc
President
Vice President
Prime Minister
Chief Justice of India
Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha
Deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha
Governors of the states
Lt Governors
Union Ministers
Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
Chief Minister of all states, except Delhi
Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
Lokayukta
Vehicles of paramilitary forces, Ministry of Defence, pilot and escort
Vehicles of SPG protectees
Vehicles with diplomatic corps registration plates
Transport Corporation vehicles
Mr. Kejriwal, however, is out of the exemption list and said that he would do car pooling with his Ministers.
Violation of the rule will invite a penalty of Rs. 2,000, which will be enforced by personnel of the Delhi Police and the Transport Department with help from 10,000 NCC and NSS volunteers who would dissuade motorists from breaking the rule.
The plan would remain in force from January 1 to 15, between 8 am and 8 pm, except on Sundays.
“Many countries implement such plans when the pollution levels go very high and it’s not a permanent fixture anywhere. We will carry out a review of the plan after 15 days,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
The Chief Minister admitted that if a large a number of motorists did not follow the plan, it would not be successful, even if fines were imposed.