Odd-Even Scheme 2019: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Says 15 Lakh Cars Off Delhi Roads Today

2019 odd-even scheme: Two-wheelers and electric vehicles have been exempted from the restrictions

Highlights

Odd-even from November 4 to 15, no restrictions on Sunday, November 10
Arvind Kejriwal carpooled to work with colleagues
Public emergency in Delhi, schools shut till Tuesday due to air pollution

New Delhi: The odd-even rule that restricts the use of private vehicles on Delhi's roads - an attempt to combat the deadly pollution shrouding the capital - kicked in this morning. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said 15 lakh vehicles will be off Delhi's roads today. Pollution levels in the city dropped marginally in the morning due to a slight increase in wind speed, but the air quality remained in the ''severe'' category. A public emergency was declared in Delhi on Friday after the pollution levels entered into the "emergency" category for the first time since January. On Sunday, pollution levels peaked to a three-year high that made breathing difficult and lowered visibility that affected road and air traffic.

Here is your 10-point to odd-even scheme 2019:

According to the odd-even rules, vehicle registrations ending with odd digits like 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 will not be allowed on the roads on November 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14. Similarly, vehicles with registration numbers ending with an even digit - 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 - will not be allowed on the roads on November 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15.
Those who violate the rules will be asked to pay a penalty of Rs 4,000, which is double the amount charged in the earlier editions of the odd-even scheme.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal carpooled to work with two of his cabinet colleagues. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia rode a bicycle to work. "We're getting a good response for odd-even. People are following it well. Delhi became a gas chaber due to smoke from neighboring states. The people of Delhi took many steps to reduce pollution. We did what we could," Mr Kejriwal told NDTV.
"In Delhi, 30 lakh cars are out on the roads every day. Today, 15 lakh cars will not be on the roads. The smoke from 15 lakh cars will be reduced... As per reports from across Delhi, nearly 100 per cent compliance is being noted," the Chief Minister told reporters.
Monday morning traffic was thin and drivers appeared to be obeying the rule. The rule will not be effective on Sunday, November 10. The restrictions will also apply to the vehicles with registration numbers of other states.
The scheme will end on November 15 and is likely to be extended if pollution levels continue to remain in the severe category.
BJP leader Vijay Goel, protesting the odd-even rule, drove out of his home in an odd-numbered SUV. Barely 100 metres from his home, the vehicle was stopped and the MP was fined Rs. 4,000.
The Delhi government had on Friday directed closure of schools till tomorrow and banned construction activities after the Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority declared a public health emergency as air quality plummeted.
Two-wheelers and electric vehicles have been exempted from the restrictions, but not those running on Compressed Natural Gas or CNG. Vehicles being used for medical emergencies and those carrying school children in uniform will be exempted. Vehicles with VIPs, only women, children aged up to 12 years and vehicles occupied by physically-disabled persons will also be exempted.
Around 200 teams of traffic police have been deployed to ensure compliance and around 5,000 civil defence volunteers have been trained to spread awareness. Delhi Metro will operate 61 additional trips when the odd-even scheme will be in force. Cab aggregators such as Uber and Ola were asked not to impose surge pricing for the duration of the odd-even scheme.