Odd-even formula: Women will continue to be exempted

Cars driven by women and those carrying children in school uniform shall remain out of the ambit of the odd-even scheme the second phase of which is set to start here from April 15. A senior official said that government is considering allowing a male passenger with woman drivers during the road-rationing scheme. Government has already announced that two-wheelers will not come under the ambit of this scheme.

The official further said that government will also continue with the imposition of Rs 2,000 as fine on those violating odd-even rules. The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today which was attended by ministerial colleagues and members of the coordination committee formed for the scheme.

“In view of women safety not being satisfactory in Delhi, CM has decided to give exemption to women during the second phase of odd-even scheme as we did during the first round of odd-even scheme,” he said. The coordination committee has also decided that cars carrying school students will also be exempted.

“Cars carrying student(s) in school uniform shall be exempted during #oddeven starting 15th April,” Deputy CM Manish Sisodia tweeted. Asked about the confusion that may arise over parents going to pick up children after school hours, Rai said, they were still working on the modalities and the final notification regarding the scheme will be out in a day or two.

“When the first phase of the odd-even scheme was introduced from January 1 to 15, all the city’s schools were closed that time. During the second phase of the scheme, schools will remain open which is the biggest challenge for us to take decision keeping them in mind,” Rai said.

Sources said that government may ask the city’s private schools to issue a pass or some document to parents including father, through which they can pick up their children from school in the afternoon.

They further said that government is also contemplating to increase the age limit of children from 12 years to 18 years travelling in cars during the scheme. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal yesterday also suggested that the Delhi Transport Minister to consider this.

Rai said that Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has asked all private schools that DTC buses will carry students during the scheme, but at 8 AM buses will have to be on roads so that they are in good numbers to cater to passengers.