Everything You Need To Know About Delhi’s Odd-Even Rule
The New Year is approaching fast and so is the launch date of Delhi’s odd-even rule. While Delhi government thinks it can cut pollution by restricting the number of cars running on the city roads, Delhiites are losing their sleep thinking of problems that they might have to faced during the 15-day pilot of this soon-to-be-launched-rule. Let’s take a look at this rule, its implications and solutions that Delhiites can use for sorting their everyday commute issues.
What’s this ‘odd-even’ rule?
This rule would define which car you can drive on a particular date. On even dates, only cars with license plates ending with an even number will be allowed on city roads, and on odd dates, cars with license plates ending with an odd number will be allowed.
For example, on dates ending with 0,2,4,6 and 8, you can only drive a vehicle whose vehicle registration number ends with an even digit such as DL83AB0XX4. And on odd dates, you can drive vehicles whose registration number ends with odd digit. For example, DL83AB0XX3.
When will this rule become effective?
The first pilot of this rule would begin on the New Year i.e. 1st January 2016 and would last for 15 days. The rule would be effective between Monday-Saturday between 8 AM to 8 PM.
How much fine would one pay if caught breaking the ‘odd-even’ rule?
You will have to pay a fine of Rs 2,000 if you will not comply to the odd-even rule.
What is government doing to ensure smooth travel experience for Delhhites during these days?
Delhi government would run more buses on the street for ensuring a seamless, hassle-free experience for every day commuters. It will run 3,000 extra buses on capital’s roads.
Who all are exempted from the Odd-Even Rule?
This rule would only apply to common man as government bureaucrats have been exempted from this rule. Yes, there are exemptions for public as well. For example, CNG vehicles, two-wheelers as and women car drivers have been exempted. Below is the complete list:
· All CNG-driven vehicles
· Electric vehicles
· Hybrid vehicles
· Two-wheelers
· Vehicles driven by women, with only women passengers
· Vehicles driven by women, with children below the age of 12
· Those on way to hospital for medical emergency (should carry proof)
· Vehicles of physically challenged
· Emergency vehicles – Ambulance, fire, hospital, prison, hearse, enforcement vehicles, etc
· President
· Vice President
· Prime Minister
· Chief Justice of India
· Speaker of the Lok Sabha
· Deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha
· Deputy speaker of the Lok Sabha
· Governors of the states
· Lt Governors
Who else will lend a helping hand to Delhi Commuters during odd-even rule days?
Tech and non-tech companies are figuring out ways to sort Delhiites travel issues between Jan 1-15.
For instance, Twitter will help Delhiites search information about nearest bus and metro stations simply by using the hashtag #pollutionfreeDelhi and entering the origin and destination.
Ola, Uber have started offering car pooling services, which should come in handy for Delhiites during odd-even days. In fact, Ola’ s ‘CarPool’ feature will allow residents in Delhi-NCR to pool rides using their private cars through Ola’s app.
Even Delhi Metro has decided to ramp up its services during the 15-day trial period of the rule and would run 198 trains to make an additional 365 trips every day.
Will it be limited to Delhi only?
Currently, this pilot would be limited to Delhi only but if it turns out to be a success then other cities might also follow the suit. We expect this rule to be implemented in NCR regions such as Gurgaon and Noida that has maximum office-goers.