No odd-even without exemptions, says Delhi government

New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Hours after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) gave a go-ahead to the odd-even scheme without any exemptions to two-wheelers, the Delhi government refused to implement it, saying they will approach the green court again on Monday.

"At the moment we are calling it off. We will again approach the NGT and will ask them to allow exemptions to women and two-wheelers," Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said here.

The road rationing scheme was suppose to be implemented from November 13 to 17 as suggested by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) and specified under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), after Delhi’s air quality went "beyond severe".

Stating that Delhi the government could not compromise on the safety of women, Gahlot added that the city government also did not have enough busses or alternatives for the public transport to accommodate over 60 lakh two-wheeler riders.

"We can’t compromise with safety and security of women … the government is concerned about it," Gahlot said.

Earlier in the day, the NGT gave a go-ahead to the Delhi government on odd-even with no exemption for the two-wheelers, women and VIPs.

While the Delhi government counsel also asked the Tribunal if they shall drop the idea of odd-even as Delhi’s air quality was improving, the Tribunal asked the government to take a call, saying: "We are not going to give you a shelter on this one. Take a decision yourself."