Schoolkids exempt in Odd-Even 2

The Delhi government said Wednesday that women will continue to remain exempt in the second phase of the “odd-even” scheme that will be implemented from April 15 for a fortnight, and that vehicles ferrying children in school uniforms will also be out of its ambit.

As in the first phase, two-wheelers will also be exempted from the car-rationing scheme, that will be in force till April 30.

A senior city official said the government was considering permitting one male passenger with a woman driver, and that the '2,000 penalty for violators will remain in place.

These decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, attended by some other ministers and members of the coordination committee on the scheme. The committee decided cars with school students will also be exempted.

“Cars carrying student(s) in school uniform shall be exempted during #oddeven starting 15th April,” deputy CM Manish Sisodia tweeted.

On the confusion that may arise when parents or others go to pick up children after school hours, transport minister Gopal Rai said the government was working on modalities of the scheme and the final notification will be out in a day or two.

“When the first phase of the odd-even scheme was introduced from January 1 to 15, all the city’s schools were closed. In the second phase, schools will be open, that is the biggest challenge for us,” Mr Rai said.

Sources said the government may ask schools to issue a pass or some document to parents that they can use while picking up children in their vehicles.

The transport minister also clarified all those who were exempt during the first phase, such as Central ministers and other VIPs, as well as CNG vehicles, will continue to enjoy the benefit.