Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar says he will follow the odd-even rule
The odd-even rule to be enforced for cars in Delhi from the New Year has many critics and among them is Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar. It is a "crazy order", the minister says, but he will follow it.
"If you are interested only in headline grabbing, then I can give crazy orders, but if you want real solutions, then real solutions lie in improving the quality of fuel and improving the quality of engines of cars. All I'm saying is that headline grabbing can be done by many things," Mr Javadekar said in an interview to NDTV.
Even in his disapproval, the minister said he would follow the system and use his personal car. "Because I have got an office car, that is a different thing. But my personal car which I use to go to the gym, which I drive everyday morning... I will take it out only on even dates, as my car no is 6468. So I will do that," he said.
Between January 1 and 15, odd cars will be allowed on odd dates and even cars on even dates, barring exemptions given to some including women, emergency vehicles, VIPs and CNG cars. The Aam Aadmi Party government says it is an experiment to try and cut down air pollution in Delhi, which is at a critical level and had a court likening the capital to a "gas chamber". All cars will be allowed on Sundays.
Those found violating the rule will be fined Rs 2,000. Besides traffic policemen, thousands of volunteers will be out on the roads to help implement the system.
Mr Javadeker said the central government has focused seriously on the pollution crisis since April. The minister recently led an inter-ministerial delegation to the Climate Change conference in Paris.