The formal notification for the odd-and-even numbered car rule will be out on Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Thursday. Kejriwal said that those exempt from it will include governors and lieutenant governors of states, chief ministers (except himself), the Chief Justice of India, Union ministers, the President, Vice-president, Prime Minister, leaders of Opposition, Supreme Court and High Court judges, and Speakers, Deputy Speakers of the houses of Parliament. Women drivers, emergency vehicles, stickered CNG vehicles and vehicles carrying patients will also be exempt. The rule will not be implemented on Sundays.
Kejriwal also announced that 5,000 extra buses will be in service, and that the frequency of the city’s metro will be increased. A penalty of Rs 2,000 will be imposed on those who break the rule. Ten thousand volunteers will help implement the new rule by asking drivers to follow it, Kejriwal added, and may even hand out roses to those who comply.
Bikes will also be exempt for the first week, while the second week will be decided upon later depending on air pollution levels, Kejriwal said.
The rule will only be applied for 15 days as of now, beginning on January 1. The Aam Aadmi Party leader said the state would see how effective it was and if the city's public transport system could handle the pressure. They will then implement it again in a few months if necessary. He also urged people to car pool to ease the pressure off of public transport, adding that he would be car pooling as well.
The rule allows vehicles with odd and even numbered license plates to ply only on alternate days, in a bid to reduce pollution in the capital.
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