Review meeting to decide second phase of odd-even scheme: Delhi govt

New Delhi: Delhi Transport minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday  said that a review meeting will decide on the second phase of the odd-even scheme and announced that a thanksgiving event has been lined up by the government for residents of the city who have made the road rationing scheme a "success".

Speaking on the fate of second phase of odd-even scheme, Rai said that a review meeting to be chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been called on Monday in this regard.

"In the review meeting, we will review the impact of the last 15 days during odd-even car rationing scheme. On the basis of review, a final decision on the future of odd-even scheme will be taken. Apart from this, we will discuss measures to make Delhi pollution-free," Rai said.

The Transport minister said the government will organise the Thanksgiving event at Chhatrasal Stadium on January 17 to thank those who participated in making odd-even a success.

"The people of Delhi accepted odd-even scheme from the bottom of their heart. To thank Delhiites, government has decided to organise 'thanksgiving' function at Chhatrasal stadium on January 17," the minister said.

He further said that the entire Delhi Cabinet, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, will also be present during the event in which officials from different departments including civil defence, SDMs, tehsiladar, traffic police, transport department, drivers and conductors of DTC, Cluster and DMRC will also be present.

Apart from these departments, bus owners who have given their vehicles for odd-even scheme, will also participate in this programme. Besides, he would also appeal to the people of Delhi to participate in the programme.

Last week, Rai had asserted that the government has no intention to take the road-rationing experiment beyond January 15. The pilot plan for cutting vehicular emission was launched on January 1.

"Government is neither going to extend odd-even scheme beyond January 15 nor finish it before the 15-day trial period," Rai had said.

Rai stressed on the need of promoting cycling in the national capital to make Delhi pollution-free.

"In Monday's meeting, we will also discuss on how to promote cycling in Delhi and a committee will be formed to make the plan," he said.

Delhi Government in collaboration with a private company today initiated at Bicycle Sharing Service' at Rohini East Metro Station.

In 2009, there was a cycle stand there, but the operation of this service was stopped. Today, the operation of cycling service re-started.

"We will work on the cycling plan in two phases. In first phase, we will encourage people to use cycle for their small works in their locality. We have already announced that government will give subsidy on purchase of cycles.

"In the second phase, we will start constructing cycle lanes on roads so that people could ride bicycle on these roads. Government has also decided to construct cycle stand at metro stations and bus queue shelters to ensure last-mile connectivity," he also added.