Odd-Even Ends: 3 Big Lessons From Kejriwal Govt’s Ambitious Project

New Delhi: With the end of the first fortnight of 2016, here fall curtains to the 15 day trial period of the Odd-Even scheme implemented by the Delhi Government.

The ambitious project was started with the aim of controlling dangerous pollution levels in the air of national capital. Under this, govt. allowed odd digit cars on odd dates and even number cars on even days. However, the Odd-Even scheme has called for a pan India debate on whether it was successful in lowering the pollution.

While Kejriwal govt. has called it a success and given the indications to reintroduce it in future after the analysis of trial period performance, the opposition BJP and Congress have ruled it out and said that it has caused great trouble to commuters.

Amid this blame game, let’s take a look at five major takeaways or lessons from the Odd-Even rule.

1. Public Participation

The scheme got an overwhelming response from the people of Delhi who willingly came out of their comfort zone for the environment. People actively took part in the scheme and used public transport and car pooling options instead of their personal cars.

Moreover, the fine of Rs 2000/ (2 hour validity) was enough to stop the law breakers. Police has issued over 2,000 challans to the violators, till Tuesday.

It is indeed a positive sign as it paves way for more society benefitting schemes.

2. Reality reason of Pollution

The scheme which was aimed at reducing the pollution levels didn’t served the purpose completely. Though, pollution levels in winters is known to be worse and there was no change in first week but in second week, a slight change was recorded.

However, curbing vehicular pollution is not the only solution as pollution of trucks, cars and two wheelers, make only 9-10 % of the total.

The major pollutants which have a greater role in city’s pollution and need to be curbed are road dust, burning of municipal waste, biomass and industrial stray, as per a study published by IIT Kanpur.

Formation of a well planned, researched and full-proof scheme is required to carry out the big task of cleaning city’s air.

3. Traffic problem and Public Transport

The Odd-Even rule did took 1000’s of cars off Delhi roads. During the period, people find ease the traffic and there was less congestion. Moreover, the movement of ambulance and fire brigade was also smoother then before.

The trial period also tested the strength of public transport to deal with the burden of Delhi’s population. While government introduced 3,000 additional buses, the metro trips were also increased to cope up with the rush. And it proved to be enough for Delhi, as buses met the demand well and there was no extra rush at Rajiv Chowk during peak hours.

Metro witnessed a mere increase of 1.5 lakh commuters per day. The average daily ridership, between January 1 and January 13, stood at 27.5 lakh as opposed to the usual 26 lakh, reveals the DMRC report.

17 Jan. 2016
Rumani