Odd-Even May Return in July and Become a Regular Feature From Sept

After niggling issues in odd-even phase 2, will Delhiites warm up to phase 3?

Volunteers stand on Delhi roads holding placards during phase 2 of odd-even. Will Delhi warm up to phase 3? (Photo: IANS)

The second phase of odd-even is out of the way but the third instalment may return soon. According to sources, the AAP government is considering bringing back the odd-even scheme in July, before making it a permanent feature in September – when it would run for two weeks every month, reports the Hindustan Times.

A section of officers in the Delhi government had proposed that the third round of the scheme be implemented in May and June, during the summer vacations.

According to a senior transport official in the Delhi government:

The Transport Minister has asked for a detailed plan, suggesting the scheme should be run after June when the bus-aggregator plan is in place. We are expecting to add 1,000 buses to our fleet through the cluster scheme and 1,000 premium buses through the aggregator scheme.

Sources report that odd-even could be a permanent fixture from September, when it would be implemented two weeks every month. (Photo: Reuters)

Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that a review committee would be formed to assess the impact of odd-even 2 and recommend suggestions for the next round. Women drivers and two-wheelers are likely to remain exempt in the next round.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reportedly wants to hold a referendum on the implementation of the odd-even scheme before the third round.

It remains to be seen whether Delhi votes in favour of the scheme or still finds itself at odds.