A day after BJP Rajya Sabha MP from Delhi, Vijay Goel, violated the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme in protest, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar acknowledged that the Delhi government’s intervention to curb air pollution has “had an effect”.
Speaking at The Indian Express Idea Exchange on Tuesday, Khattar refused to comment on Goel’s actions but said that the AAP government’s scheme had helped reduce traffic congestion in Gurgaon.
“I think the odd-even scheme has had an effect and that pollution and traffic congestion has reduced. There is also some criticism of the scheme that those who are not allowed to ply their cars on certain days will end up buying a second car or car-pool. Today, it took me 20 minutes to come here instead of the usual 30. So I have saved 10 minutes of time,” Khattar said.
Asked if Gurgaon was planning a similar initiative, given the protest by an MP from his own party, Khattar said, “Democratic parties give their leaders leeway to deal with local issues. I don’t want to comment on the Delhi BJP.” Khattar said he was yet to receive a proposal about implementing the odd-even policy in Gurgaon. “But if there is a proposal, we will see. Right now, because of odd-even in Delhi, pressure in Gurgaon on the National Highway 8 is less. There is some traffic pressure at the toll barrier… problems at the Khirki Dhaula toll, but not elsewhere. In other places, we are working on improving traffic flow… IFFCO chowk, Signature Tower and Rajeev Chowk. Here we are building an under-bridge for better traffic. Traffic will be regulated once this is done,” said Khattar.