Vehicles carrying children in school uniform will be exempted from the Odd-Even road rationing plan in Delhi from November 4 to November 15, announced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday.
On being asked about people who drive back alone after dropping children to school, Kejriwal said that further information on this aspect of the rule will be divulged later.
Also, two-wheelers will continue enjoying exemption from the rule.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that most VIPs, including President, Vice President, CJI, Speaker of Lok Sabha among others, would be exempt from the scheme, and extended the courtesy to CMs of neighbouring states as well. But he clarified that vehicles of the Delhi chief minister and ministers from other states will come under its ambit.
Also, vehicles of Supreme Court Judges, UPSC Chairperson, Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners, CAG, Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Lt Governor of Delhi, Judges of Delhi High Court, Lokayukta and emergency services will be exempted.
The scheme will be applicable from 8 am to 8 pm, except on Sundays.
On measures to control pollution, the CM said that the government has set up 16 vigilance teams to check day and night construction sites and burning of waste.
The scheme will also include vehicles coming from other states, and will only be implemented on non-transport four-wheeled vehicles.
Previously on Wednesday, Kejriwal had said that persons with disabilities will be relieved from the Odd-Even scheme.
The Delhi Chief Minister made the announcement in response to a question posed by Kargil War veteran Major DP Singh.
Sharing on Twitter news about women drivers being exempt from the Odd-Even scheme, Major Singh had asked the Chief Minister, “How about persons with disabilities?”
“I am an amputee and can’t sit in Metro with (an) artificial leg due to ill-designed seats. So would be (the) bus ride for me due to pushes and pulls. (The) only option is my own car. What do I and many like me do?” Singh had asked.
Responding to the question, Kejriwal tweeted: “Yes…persons with disabilities will definitely be exempt during Odd-Even.”
Meanwhile, women drivers have been exempted from the odd-even road rationing scheme which is set to return in the national capital for the third time from November 4-15.
“Women driving alone, cars having all women as occupants and women accompanied by children aged less than 12 years will be exempted,” Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday.
However, unlike previous occasions, privately owned CNG vehicles will this time not be exempted from the Odd-Even vehicle scheme.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government has doubled the fine for violating the scheme’s numberplate rules, increasing the amount from Rs 2000 to Rs 4000.
However, the amended Motor Vehicles Act prescribes a fine of Rs 20,000 for violating the scheme.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had on September 13 announced the Odd-Even vehicle scheme to tackle the rising menace of air pollution around the time of Diwali.
Under the Odd-Even vehicle scheme, vehicles are allowed to ply across the city based on the last digit of their registration plates. Private cars registration plates ending with odd number are allowed to ply on odd dates and those ending with even numbers on even dates.