Odd-even is not a remedy, will ramp up public transport: Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday admitted for the first time that the odd-even scheme cannot be a long-term “remedy” to air pollution.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday admitted for the first time that the odd-even scheme cannot be a long-term “remedy” to air pollution.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal addresses at a "thanksgiving rally following the “success” of his government’s 2nd phase of odd-even scheme at Chhatrasal Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

He said his government was determined to ramp up public transport in the city within a year to limit the number of vehicles on the roads.

Calling the second phase of the odd-even scheme “very successful”, Kejriwal said the government will soon come out with a separate policy for cab and bus aggregators which will enable more taxis and buses on the roads.

“We have to strengthen the public transport system in the coming days and we are working on it. Odd-even cannot be a long-term remedy,” the chief minister said addressing a “thanks giving” ceremony to celebrate the success of the second phase of the scheme.

“We have announced a bus aggregator policy. We hope the buses from the private sector will ply on the roads. We are also coming up with a taxi aggregator policy which will enable more taxis on road,” Kejriwal said at the event in Chhatrasal stadium.

He said the government will take a decision on future implementation of the odd-even scheme based on analysis of various surveys on air pollution by different agencies as well as examining the effectiveness of phase 1 and 2.

The Chief Minister said the Delhi Government was augmenting Delhi Transport Corporation’s bus fleet besides taking a series of measures to improve public transport.

The second phase of the scheme was implemented from April 15 to 30. MORE PTI PR SBR MPB SK