The Delhi government on Friday announced free travel in all DTC and cluster buses to encourage the use of public transport during the odd-even car scheme from 13-17 November.

State Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot wrote on Twitter, saying “To encourage use of public transport during Odd-Even, Delhi govt to allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and Cluster buses from 13-17 November.”

To encourage use of public transport during Odd- Even, Delhi govt to allow free travel for commuters in all DTC and Cluster buses from 13-17 November.

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— Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) November 10, 2017

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal retweeted Gahlot’s tweet saying, “This will encourage people to switch to public transport.”

This will encourage people to switch to public transport https://t.co/W3fPf4NL8C

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 10, 2017

Gahlot said that he would hold a second preparatory meeting at 4:30 pm on Friday regarding the traffic rationing scheme.

Earlier on Friday, Kejriwal chaired the first meeting in this regard with the officials of the Transport department.

The final decision to roll out the scheme is expected on Saturday.

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On Thursday, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot had announced the implementation of odd-even car scheme  for a five-day period from 13 November. The odd-even will be implemented from 8 am to 8 pm for five days.

The decision comes as air pollution levels have reached ‘severe’ level in Delhi-NCR region. The air quality index (AQI) at 7.30 am was recorded at 468, which was worse than Tuesday’s average AQI of 448.

While addressing a media conference on Thursday, Gahlot said that, the state government will also ensure no surge pricing of Ola-Uber cabs, said Gehlot.

Gehlot said PM Narendra Modi should convene emergency meeting of CMs of Delhi, adjoining states to discuss pollution.

“IGL stickers for cars will be available from tomorrow at 22 CNG stations across Delhi. Also extra buses are being arranged. But we will not requisition for school buses,” said Gehlot.

The scheme was implemented twice in 2016 — from 1-15 January and 15-30 April.

(With agency inputs)