Two-wheelers in Delhi may also have to follow odd-even rule if there are enough buses, says AAP lawmaker
Two-wheelers in Delhi, which have been kept out of the odd-even plan for vehicles to be enforced in the New Year, may have to follow the rule too, a member of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has indicated.
AAP lawmaker Adarsh Shastri told NDTV that if there are enough buses on the road, then the exemption granted to two-wheelers may be reviewed.
"I don't see a problem in being able to embrace this plan. Yes, I agree 2-wheelers should not have been exempted. But face of the matter is today we don't have an alternate commute available for 50 lakh two-wheelers," Mr Shastri said, responding to the skepticism of panelists on The Buck Stops Here.
Asked if more buses were brought in, two-wheelers would be included in the odd-even plan, Mr Shastri said: "Yes, it is possible. In fact the Chief Minister has gone on record to say that we can evaluate after a week. A ban on two-wheelers after a week is very much possible."
Of 85 lakh vehicles in Delhi, 55 lakh are two wheelers.
Between January 1 and 15, odd cars will be allowed on odd dates and even cars on even dates, in an experiment that is aimed at drastically reducing air pollution, which is at a critical level in Delhi.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced a long list of exemptions that include emergency vehicles, the President, Prime Minister, chief ministers and governors, women drivers, women driving with children below 12 and CNG and hybrid cars besides two-wheelers.
Mr Kejriwal declared that he and his family will follow the ban, but many have questioned whether the exemptions defeat the purpose.
Speaking to NDTV, Delhi Police Chief BS Bassi said yesterday: "What if someone says he is sick? I cannot stop him because I have to believe him. There is a possibility that many persons who will be violating will be able to wiggle through because of the exemptions. I wish we had gone for a policy without any exemptions."