ODD EVEN Scheme About, Origin, Seven Action Plan, Exemptions, Arrangements for execution, Issues, Solutions

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ODD-EVEN Vehicle Rationing Scheme 

Mr. Arvind Kejriwal announced on Friday, September 13, 2019 the imposition of ODD-EVEN Scheme third time in Delhi for combating detrimental effects of air pollution in Capital. This Scheme is one part of Seven Action Plans. Scheme will be implemented between Nov 4 to Nov 15, 2019. Delhi ODD EVEN has been adopted twice since Chief Minister Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party came into power. It was implemented for 15 days from January 1 to 15 and then from April 15 to 30, Last year.

About the Scheme

This scheme is based on last digit of Vehicle's Registration Number. Scheme allows private vehicle whose registration number ends with odd digit(1, 3, 5, 7, 9) or whose last digit of registration number is odd will ply on odd dates and those with even last digit(0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will ply on even dates from 8am to 8 pm. Vehicles with both odd and even numbers will be allowed before 8am in morning and after 8pm at night except on Sunday. Offender will be fined ₹2000 for not following rules listed under the scheme. This plan is aimed to reduce air pollution and smog.
"Studies conducted showed that, this scheme led to 10 to 13% reduction in air pollution," Said Delhi Chief Minister. He also said that, this scheme is to cut down traffic by half there by reducing pollution.

Where did it come from?

This System was implemented in Beijing in 2008, just before Summer Olympics. While rule was initially temporary; it turned out to be so effective that the government made it permanent. Similar road rationing rule are implemented at many places worldwide like Pairs, Mexico and Bogota to curb road jams due to vehicles and pollution. 

Seven Point Action Plan

  1. Pollution Free Diwali.
  2. Odd Even Policy.
  3. Pollution Masks.
  4. Prevention of local burning or dumping of garbage or violation of construction dust rule.
  5. Hotspot Action Plan.
  6. Dust pollution control.
  7. Delhi Tree Challenge.

List of those who are exempted from ODD EVEN formula 

  1. President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Chief Minister of States except Delhi,Delhi Lieutenant Governor, Locayukta, VIPs, Governors, Chief Justice of India, Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Union Minister, Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Supreme Court Judges
  2. CNG Vehicles
  3. Women Driver
  4. Women Driver with Children below 12 years
  5. Emergency Vehicles
  6. Two Wheeler
  7. Car carrying children in school uniform 
  8. Vehicles with Defence Ministry number plate
  9. Pilot Cars
  10. SPG Protectors
  11. Embassy cars
  12. Hybrid and Electrical vehicles 
  13. Exemption for differently abled as  their vehicle is specially design hence they won't be able to follow

Special arrangements to make plan successful

  1. Extra Public Transport buses 
  2. A Bike Taxi Service 
  3. Increase in Metro Frequency
  4. Fine has been increased to ₹4000 for offenders that was ₹2000 earlier

Issues 

  1. Issue with this approach is that two consecutive odd days occur, whenever a month ends with odd numbered date.
  2. It prompts two car culture. Rich people buy two cars, one with odd last digit and other with even last digit to use on everyday basis.

Results of Previous Implementations

  1. In first phase 10058 vehicles were fined, in second phase 8988 vehicles were fined for violation of rules under this scheme. Numbers clearly show that there is a reduction in the violation in second phase, though number is still high.
  2. As far as pollution is concerned, a study published by journal Environmental Science and Policy Scientists found that there was only marginal drop in the PM 2.5 levels during first phase of odd even.
  3. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in a report that no data to suggest that odd-even scheme has any impact on decrease in vehicular pollution. The fluctuations in PM10 and PM2.5 is due to weather and change in wind pattern.
  4. Mr. Kejriwal had also admitted that Delhi odd even rule did not lower pollution as much as expected. However it significantly reduce traffic congestion.

Some Solutions 

  1. Encouraging taxi sharing apps as they can go a long way in reducing cars on the roads.
  2. Incentivise officers with lower taxes to have different work hours which will balance out the traffic and make it more faster.
  3. Raise taxes on purchase of new cars.
  4. Give some incentives or lower the price or reduce GST on electric and hybrid vehicles.
  5. Praise people for using by cycle for short distances.
  6. Special provision should be made for safety and security of passengers in Public Transport. 

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