Odd-Even:HC Asks AAP to Clarify Exemption of Women and Two-Wheeler

Twenty categories have been exempted from the Odd-Even scheme.

Traffic moves at dusk in New Delhi which has earned the title of the world’s most polluted city. (Photo: AP)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the AAP government to clarify why women and two-wheelers have been exempted from the odd-even number plate scheme coming into effect in New Delhi from Friday.

A bench of justices comprising Hima Kohili and Sunil Gaur directed the Delhi government to submit data on the pollution levels and vehicles plying during the scheme effective for 15 days starting on January 1. They also said, “Getting instruction on why such exemption (women and two- wheelers) is necessary.”

The court, however, refrained from passing any interim order on a plea submitted by a resident of Delhi, Karuna Chhatwal, who sought direction to restrict the movement of cars driven by women drivers as well as two wheelers.

The court issued a notice to the Delhi government asking them to file a status report within three days of her plea.

Another plea was made by an advocate, Rahul Aggarwal, who sought exemption for lawyers from the odd-even scheme.

To this the bench said exempting advocates from this scheme will lead to similar demands from doctors and other officials, who have not been included in list of 25 exempted categories.

Other than this, the court issued notice to Delhi government on a second issue. A joint PIL was filed by advocate Manoj Kumar and Gunjan Khanna, a commuter from Noida who said the Delhi government should “call for public debate before enforcing the decision”.

The court has now listed the three petitions for further hearing on January 6, when the court will hear other four PILs filed by different individuals against the AAP government’s plan on the odd-even number plate formula.

Twenty categories of vehicles have been exempted from the odd-even scheme which will be applicable for 15 days in the national capital starting 1 January 2016.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has clarified while announcing the scheme that he and his cavalcade will not avail the exemption offered to the VIPs.

(With inputs from PTI.)