Odd-even II largely successful, claims panel

Six-member committee says hot weather and schools being open resulted in more vehicles on the roads

Waning effect:According to the report, there were an additional 3,88,886 cars, 1,34,598 two-wheelers and 8,000 buses on the roads.Photo: Sushil Kumar Verma

six-member panel formed to evaluate odd-even II said the scheme was “largely successful” despite schools being open and the summer heat.

The panel, headed by Special Commissioner (Transport) K.K. Dahiya, was formed on the direction of Transport Minister Gopal Rai on April 23 following reports that the scheme’s impact was not the same as the first odd-even drive in January.

More cars

The committee, which submitted its report to Mr. Rai on Wednesday, concluded that car owners voluntarily complied with the initiative between April 15 and 30. But the panel admitted that the weather and schools being open resulted in more number of vehicles on the roads.

According to the report, there was an additional volume of 3,88,886 cars, 1,34,598 two-wheelers and 8,000 buses on the roads.

Schools being in session was found to be a major reason for congestion on the roads, especially in the vicinity of the schools. There was heavy traffic within five to six kilometres of the area around the school.

The impact of schools was based on surveys conducted around six schools. The panel said there was no congestion during the first phase as schools were shut for winter vacations.

The committee said construction activities also added to the congestion. Bhairon Marg and Rao Tula Ram Marg were being repaired while the BRT corridor is being dismantled, disrupting traffic up to even 8-10 km.

The report, however, said there was a minor decrease in the number of vehicles entering Delhi from Gurgaon and Noida.

As per data obtained from the DND fly way, 16,224 cars entered Delhi from Uttar Pradesh on two days of the odd-even scheme between 8.30 am to 10.30 am. After the drive had ended, 18,071 cars entered Delhi over the same number of days.

Similarly on NH-8, which connects the Capital to Gurgaon, 20,427 vehicles entered Delhi on one day of the scheme while 23,613 vehicles did so after odd-even.

Whether the scheme will be implemented again will be decided on the basis of the report and public opinion, which the government plans to seek.

Panel says construction added to congestion at Bhairon Marg and Rao Tula Marg; dismantling of BRT also caused jams