Odd-even 2.0: Free rides in store for Delhiites

The airport operator also plans to organise pollution check camps for vehicles and counselling sessions for taxi drivers.Photo: Special Arrangement

The odd-even scheme of the Delhi government is set to return on April 15, and this time the Delhi airport will also do its bit to help commuters.

According to sources at the airport, private airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) plans to introduce free rides for commuters on electric bikes in collaboration with an electric two-wheeler manufacturer. The e-bikes would ferry passengers for free from Mahipalpur and the nearest metro stations to Terminal 3 and domestic terminals 1D and 1C.

DIAL had first introduced the services during the first phase of the odd-even scheme in January, but plans are afoot to implement it in a bigger way with more e-bikes to be pressed into service.

“During the odd-even scheme in January, Hero Electric had collaborated with DIAL to give free rides from Mahipalpur to Terminal 3. The ‘Free and Clean Ride’ initiative was aimed to raise awareness about e-mobility and mitigating bad air quality in Delhi,” said an airport official on condition of anonymity.

Apart from the e-bike services, the airport operator also plans to put up pollution check camps for vehicles, safe driving counselling sessions for taxi drivers, distribution of helmets, awareness campaigns including nukkad nataks and other measures to promote safe and pollution-free driving.

“There are plans to continue the Hero Electric free ride initiative to ferry people free of cost during the next odd-even to offer a suitable last-mile connectivity option,” the official said. The services are expected to begin from 8 a.m. and continue till 7 p.m.

“The idea is to help office-goers and others to not only get an alternative mode of commute, but also experience the comfort of zero polluting electric bikes and get to know the advantages of switching to electric vehicles,” he said.

Also, there are plans to help commuters use the services through a mobile application available on android and iOS platforms, where they can request a free ride not only till the airport but to other parts of Delhi as well.

DIAL also plans to provide counselling and training for taxi drivers operating out of the airport. These include training sessions for safe driving, apart from simulator training for DIAL employees as well. There are also plans to organise free eye and health check-up camps during the odd-even scheme.