HC refuses to stay Delhi govt's odd-even rule for vehicles

The Delhi High Court (HC) refused stay the Delhi Government's avowed policy of allowing odd and even numbered cars on specific days in the city beginning 1 January, while hearing five Public Interest Litigations against it on Wednesday.

The Delhi Government had issued the order when the pollution level in Delhi escalated manifold after Diwali.

The bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath refused to entertain the request by a petitioner that the rule be stayed until the next hearing scheduled on 6 January.

"Sorry. We do not know whether it (the odd-even formula) will be implemented or not. The Delhi government has not yet come out with any scheme on this issue," PTI quoted the bench as saying. "As of today we cannot grant such relief," they added.

A scheme has not been officially finalised, and the Delhi Government has invited representative members of the society to participate in the discussion about the viability of the scheme, the bench said.

Additional Standing Counsel (ASC) Piyush Kalra, appearing on behalf of Delhi Government said that no notification has been issued about the anti-pollution scheme yet.

The presiding bench asked the government to allow Nipun Malhotra, one of the petitioners, as a representative for physically challenged people. Malhotra had filed a PIL to request that physically challenged people be allowed to use their transport as travelling via public transport is harrowing for them.

"What precaution you are taking with regard to disabled people?

"We are concerned about this class (physically challenged) of people, so the Delhi government should consider them as well," the bench told the city government.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in a meeting on Tuesday held to discuss the salient features of the scheme, said that certain exemptions will be allowed such as women travelling alone or with other female passengers, two-wheelers and car-pools.

For others, who flout the rule, a fine of Rs 2,000 will be levied, reports The Indian Express.

Even as the scheme is under discussion, ways to flout the scheme are being found by commuters. The black market for automobiles expects a rise in demand for fake number plates, reports Business Today.