'No Need Of Odd-Even Scheme Now As Skies Have Cleared Up,' Says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said that the odd-even scheme is not required further as the skies have cleared up in the national capital.

"There is no need of odd-even scheme now as the skies have cleared up," Kejriwal said after being asked a question in this regard at a press conference here.

In an attempt to reduce traffic congestion to tackle pollution, the odd-even scheme was enforced in the national capital from November 4 to 15.

The traffic rationing scheme prohibited plying of private vehicles based on the last digit of their registration numbers. Vehicles with even digits were only allowed to ply on even dates, and those with odd numbers on odd dates.

This was the third edition of the odd-even restrictions, a flagship scheme of the AAP government, on private vehicles in Delhi. The first two versions of the initiative were introduced in 2016.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, responding to a Bureau of Indian Standardisation (BIS) study that claims that Delhi's water is unsafe for drinking,  said that the report is "false and politically motivated".

Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Saturday released the second phase of the BIS study which stated that Delhi along with Kolkata and Chennai failed in almost 10 out of 11 quality parameters of drinking water.

On Sunday, posters were seen in parts of Delhi bashing the AAP government for forcing people to drink "poisonous" water.

Posting a picture of one such poster, Health Minister and Chandni Chowk MP Harsh Vardhan tweeted, "Arvind Kejriwal is giving poison to the people of Delhi in the name of free water supply. Delhi water was found to be the most poisonous in a survey of 20 cities. The AAP government is making tall claims of development but has failed to even provide safe drinking water to the people."

Replying to Vardhan's post, Kejriwal said, "Sir, you are a doctor. You know this report is false and politically motivated. A person like you should not become a part of such dirty politics," said Kejriwal, who is the chairman of the national capital's water utility, Delhi Jal Board.

In the first phase of its survey, the BIS had found all the 11 samples drawn from Delhi did not comply with the quality norm and the piped water was not safe for drinking purpose.

Testing of water samples was conducted to check organoleptic and physical parameters and know the chemical and toxic substances and bacteriological quality besides virological and biological parameters.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari blamed Kejriwal for the poor air and water quality in Delhi and asked him to refrain from doing politics on things which were vital for people's life.

The party also launched a hashtag #DillikaPaaniZahrila and asked Delhiites to send details of the water supply in their area by tagging the Delhi BJP.

Tiwari said party workers will stage protests across the city and collect water samples which will be handed over to Kejriwal.

The AAP and BJP are indulging in a blame game over issues like drinking water, air pollution and regularisation of unauthorised colonies in the city which will go for assembly polls early next year.

(with inputs from agencies)