The Delhi Cabinet will soon discuss a proposal that aims to bring Union ministers under the ambit of its 15-day odd-even car rationing formula from April 15. A proposal pending with the AAP government has suggested that like city ministers, including chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, all the Central ministers should also be brought under the ambit of the scheme.
A highly-placed source said the proposal would be soon put up before the city Cabinet. “If there is a division of opinion in the Cabinet, the AAP government will send the proposal to the Union government.”
A senior officer said the AAP government was also mulling the idea to bring women under the odd-even scheme following a survey by the transport department suggesting 50 per cent of women wanted no concessions during the 15-day drive. “Many women were of the view that they should be treated at par with their male counterparts,” the officer said, adding, “But the final call on the matter would be taken at the highest level in the government.” On the other hand, the AAP government is also planning to rope in three firms to analyse pollution levels from April 6 till the completion of the second phase of the scheme at various locations across the city. The government is expected to spend Rs 22 lakh on collection of air samples and their in-depth analysis for further extending the odd-even formula on the basis of scientific findings in the near future.
The firms reportedly shortlisted for sample collection and data analysis are Nevco Engineers Private Limited, Rave Innovation and Alfa Tech Services. At a recent meeting, a decision was taken that both Nevco and Alfa Tech Services will collect 15 samples each from 15 different locations every day, except Sundays, from April 6 till the completion of the scheme. Rave Innovations will, however, be collecting 44 samples from 44 locations. Nevco Engineers has a mobile van equipped with monitoring instruments to monitor ambient air data for 12 hours, but Rave Innovation and Alfa Tech Services have facilities to monitor air data for eight hours only. The total cost of data collection and its analysis will cost Rs 22,00,800 to the state exchequer.
