Delhi HC refuses to stay AAP’s odd-even plan for cars from 1 Jan

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to give interim stay on AAP government’s plan to impose the odd-even number plate formula for plying of private vehicles from January 1.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to give interim stay on AAP government’s plan to impose the odd-even number plate formula for plying of private vehicles from January 1.

Heavy traffic jam near AIIMS in New Delhi recently. (PTI)

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath declined the request made by one of the five petitioners that the court should at least grant stay on the implementation of the government’s idea till January 6, which has been fixed as the next date of hearing on the PILs.

“Sorry. We do not know whether it (the odd-even formula) will be implemented or not. The Delhi government has not yet come out with any scheme on this issue,” the bench said, adding, “As of today we cannot grant such relief.”

The bench further observed that the city government has called for representation from various stakeholders of the society and as of today they have not finalised any scheme. Additional Standing Counsel (ASC) Piyush Kalra, appearing for Delhi government, submitted before the court that as of now they have no notification for the proposed plan.

The bench, meanwhile, has asked the government to consider representation of a physically challenged man Nipun Malhotra, one of the petitioners who has urged the court to allow such commuters to use their own vehicles as public transport is not disabled-friendly.

It said, “We are concerned about this class (physically challenged) of people, so the Delhi government should consider them as well.”

“What precaution you are taking with regard to disabled people?” the bench asked the government.

The court was hearing five PILs filed by different individuals against AAP government’s plan to impose odd-even number plate formula.