Government contemplates on Odd-Even scheme to tackle Bengaluru traffic

If the Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme works in Delhi, it may be adopted here too Bengaluru has 68 lakh vehicles and the pollution level too is alarming Unless the number of vehicles is reduced, the air pollution may not be brought down, says the minister

To tackle the burgeoning traffic woes and an alarming level of air pollution in Bengaluru, the State government may soon take a leaf out of Delhi's odd-even vehicle rationing system, if it works there.

"The number of vehicles on Bengaluru roads is increasing by the day. So much so that the number has overtaken the parking slots and even the roads. So, to tackle the vehicle density on City roads, the government is contemplating to adopt the odd-even policy based on Delhi model," reports Kannada Prabha quoting Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy. Reddy had an interaction with media persons in Bengaluru.

Alarmed by the thick blanket of smog that engulfed the city, the panicked Delhi government decided to try out the odd-even scheme. Under the odd-even scheme that was initiated in Delhi, cars with odd numbers were allowed to ply on odd dates and similar was the case with even numbered cars.

However, on Saturday, the Delhi government cancelled its plan to implement the odd-even rationing scheme after the National Green Tribunal gave a conditional acceptance to the scheme.

It is reported that Bengaluru has 68 lakh vehicles and the government will seek help from the Transport Department in working out the modalities of the odd-even scheme for Bengaluru.

Expressing concern over law violations in building homes, the minister said that people are not considering space for parking while constructing their house. This has resulted in road encroachments and thus traffic bottlenecks. He felt that unless the number of vehicles is reduced, pollution cannot be tackled in Bengaluru.

Besides, the roads in Bengaluru should be widened in accordance with the increasing density of the vehicles. But it's not being done, Minister Ramalinga Reddy felt. He told reporters that measures are being taken to widen arterial roads to decongest traffic. Major traffic junctions in City - Sarjapur Road, Hennur Main Road and Bannerghatta road - will be widened to ensure vehicular movement.