The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) suggestion to implement an ‘odd-even’ formula for vehicular traffic has invited criticism from the Opposition, which alleged that the civic body is tactf
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) suggestion to implement an ‘odd-even’ formula for vehicular traffic has invited criticism from the Opposition, which alleged that the civic body is tactfully resorting to “sin-hiding measures.”
A report prepared by the BMC on the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) has suggested implementation of ‘odd-even’ road-rationing scheme in the financial capital too to keep pollution in check and curb vehicular traffic. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said that resorting to ‘odd-even’ measures only proves the failure of the public transport system.
“The BMC is tactfully resorting to a sin-hiding measure now. Public modes of transport have failed miserably and the civic body’s failure to do something about it has resulted in this suggestion. The citizens have to pay huge taxes while buying a car in Mumbai. They first need to be reimbursed with their money before an odd-even measure can be implemented,” NCP legislator Kiran Pawaskar said.
MPCC spokesperson Sachin Sawant said that before implementing the proposed scheme, the BMC should develop infrastructure projects for which announcements had been made. “Corruption in the BMC is at its peak. In the last three years, Rs 9,343 crore has been spent on developing roads that have a defect liability period. Before the period is completed we see potholes and the BMC is now floating new tenders to repair them. The Sena-BJP-ruled BMC should focus on curbing corruption rather than rushing with this scheme,” he said.
Social activist Shadaab Patel, in his petition to the Bombay high court, had urged it to implement Delhi’s odd-even formula in Mumbai as well. The court had, in January this year, issued notices to the state government and BMC and had sought their response for introduction of the odd-even rule for private cars here on lines of the pattern adopted in Delhi.
“It is a very positive move by the civic body. We welcome the stand taken and hope the state government also considers the same in a positive manner. Pollution level in Mumbai is not far from Delhi and private vehicles constitute 80 per cent road traffic. Implementing the scheme will ensure emergency services like ambulances, fire brigade and police vehicles are able to reach the required spots on time,” Mr Patel said.
