Odd-even scheme may be back in winter: Jain
CAR RATIONING Minister says the next phase of the scheme will not be implemented before winter since pollution is down in monsoon
NEW DELHI: Delhi transport minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday hinted that the third phase of the odd-even car rationing scheme could be back in winters.
“Pollution is usually low in monsoon, so whatever happen will happen in winters,” said Jain at a press conference when asked about the return of the odd-even scheme.
The first and second editions of the road-rationing scheme were implemented in January and April this year. The aim of the scheme was to bring down rising pollution levels in the capital.
Jain, who recently took charge of the transport department, said a notification to impose a fine of ` 2,000 on motorists obstructing the buses in their dedicated lanes will be issued by the end of July.
Jain also that the scrapping of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor is almost over and re-carpeting of the road will be taken up after monsoon.
Talking about the new cycle track to be built in South Delhi, the minister said the transport department recently gave presentation on the project to Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning & Engineering Centre and he hopes the project will get nod from all the agencies concerned.
FEVER CLINICS
Jain, who also handles health portfolio, announced setting up of 250 – 300 fever clinics in the mohalla clinics, dispensaries and hospitals to combat dengue this year.
Apart from counselling, the fever clinics will be equipped to perform ELISA test, an antibody test that confirms dengue fever, and keep people under observation if necessary. The fever clinics will become functional from September.
Fifty-five such clinics had been opened during the dengue outbreak last year.
“There is no treatment for dengue and most of the cases can be managed at home. If, however, the doctor suspects that the patient is in a critical condition, he can be taken to the nearby hospital. Although, 90% of the patients who came to the fever clinics did not have dengue,” the health minister said.
The minister also added that there will be no shortage of beds. “We added temporary beds to ensure that there was no shortage last year during one of the worst dengue crisis, this year too we will ensure that there are adequate facilities,” he said.
DDA HELPING BUILDERS Jain said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) was trying to favour the builder lobby by allowing only private developers to benefit from the urban development ministry’s notification on changes in the transit-oriented development (TOD) policy.
Under the TOD policy, a floor area ratio (FAR) of 400 has been approved. This will enable high rises to come up in these areas and make for denser colonies. TOD colonies can come up in the ‘influence zone’ of the Metro which extends to 500 metres on both sides of the corridor.
But Jain alleged the DDA had proposed to amend the Master Plan guidelines to limit the benefits of the policy to private builders.