Delhi Police Still in Dark over Odd-Even Number Decision

New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) A day after the Delhi government's decision to restrict plying of private vehicles through even-odd classification of registration numbers from January 1, the Delhi Police said it was yet to receive any official communication on this.

"I can't comment on the issue. There is no clarification on it. We just heard it through media and read about it in the newspapers," Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander told IANS.

Delhi traffic police is tasked with managing vehicular movement in the national capital.

The Delhi government's decision will apply to some 95 lakh vehicles registered in the city and the lakhs more which enter the metropolis every day from neighbouring states such as Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Punjab.

About 1,500 new vehicles are added every day to the city roads.

Delhi's vehicular population - which causes choking jams on all weekdays - includes some 27 lakh cars.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality of Delhi is said to be "very poor" with an air quality index of 331.

When air quality index ranges between 301 and 400, the air is said to cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

Chander said he can comment on the implementation of the decision only after there is a formal communication.

"If there is a meeting, a discussion, or a letter, we will come to know about the details. How can I say anything over the issue at present," Chander said.

Asked if it is feasible to implement the odd and even registration number classification on Delhi roads on alternate days, Chander said: "It would be a hypothetical talk and such discussion is not ethical."

"If there is an official information, letter or conversation, we will surely talk about the issue," Chander said.

The Delhi Government had caused a surprise on Friday with its decision that private vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers as the last digit will be allowed to ply on alternate days from the first day of the new year.

The sweeping move - like the one taken in Beijing in 2013 - came after the Delhi High Court compared the national capital to "a gas chamber" and sought immediate action from the central and Delhi governments.

A police officer, who did not want to be named, said it would be an "arduous task" to implement the decision.

"The decision will create its own issues. The public transport is not roboust enough to properly cater to needs of Delhi residents," the officer said.

Another official expressed surprise at the Delhi government taking such a huge decision without consulting the agency which has to implement it.