Women drivers, women driving with children below 12, CNG, electric and hybrid vehicles, two-wheelers, emergency service vehicles, and cars belonging to a long list of VVIPs are among the 20 categories exempted from the odd-even formula to be enforced in Delhi from January 1, 2016, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced here on Thursday.

He, however, added that: “My family and I are not exempted from anything.” 

Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal said the formula had got all the necessary approvals, including from the Lt Governor, and would be notified on Monday. Under the scheme, odd numbered cars will ply on odd days, and even numbered cars on even days.

In the Capital, which is battling a high level of air pollution, the odd-even traffic formula is expected to keep about 10 lakh private cars off the road. The formula, which will be in effect from 8 am to 8 pm, imposes a fine of ₹2,000 for offenders.

Asked about the duration of the scheme, Kejriwal said: “Nothing is permanent”, adding that the scheme would be reviewed after 15 days.

Termed by the Delhi High Court like living in a “gas chamber”, the Capital recorded its most polluted day on November 21 with the amount of suspended particulate matter in the air moving into the ‘severe’ category.

“Pollution has become a serious problem. We all have to work together for a solution,” Kejriwal said, adding that 6,000 more public transport buses would be pressed into service.

Reacting to complaints of harassment by auto drivers, the Chief Minister said strict action would be taken against autos that overcharge during the 15-day period.

However, there were murmurs of discontent among a section of the car-owning population such as traders.

Traders not happy In a statement, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) appealed to Kejriwal to reconsider the decision, as it would “kill the distributive character of trade in Delhi.”

CAIT Secretary-General Praveen Khandelwal said: “Lakhs of Delhi traders live in satellite towns such as Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad carry cash with them. How will they carry cash on the day they do not have a vehicle with them? Will this not be a threat to traders and their business?”

Instead, CAIT suggested variable working hours to spread out traffic load.

Meanwhile, with Delhi stating that this policy is for cars, SP Singh, Senior Fellow, Indian Foundation of Transport Research and Training, said that he did not anticipate any impact on goods trucks or mini-vans.

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