Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reached out to the public through a radio ad on Tuesday, justifying the Odd-Even formula while also promising to scrap the system if it fails in the first 15 days.
In a minute-long audio ad, Mr. Kejriwal begins with acknowledging the difficulties that people will have to face due to the ban on cars of even and odd numbers on alternate days. “But we had no choice and took tough steps for cleaner air.”
Earlier, there were reports that the CM has two cars — one with an odd numbered plate and another with an even number. In the ad, Mr. Kejriwal cleared the air, “My ministers and I will also follow it. We will try it out for 15 days, from January 1-15. If it is too much trouble, then we will stop. For 15 days, car-pool with friends and neighbours. I will also do it. I know it will be hard, but to reduce pollution, we have to suffer a little.”
He said that the proposal is in public domain and people can send their suggestions. “We will do nothing against your wishes. Your safety, life, health and your convenience is our top priority.”
The Delhi government on Friday had announced the odd-even formula to bring down pollution levels after the High Court called Delhi a ‘gas chamber’. The move received mixed reactions and experts were divided. However, the general concern was the lack of robust public transport.
To that, the government has announced introduction of a 1,000 new buses and increasing the number of trips. From January 1, odd-numbered vehicles will be allowed on odd dates, like January 1, 3 and 5, and even-numbered cars on even dates. On Sundays, all cars will be allowed. The system will not apply to public and commercial vehicles. In another ad, Mr. Kejriwal said that from April, Delhi's roads will be vacuumed.
