More Odds than Evens for Kejriwal’s New Scheme
by Valli - Gr. 9A

Author Details

My name is Valli, and I am in Grade 9A. My hobbies include: painting, listening to music, watching movies, and writing and collecting poems.

Our Government has conjured up another outré and bizarre idea: the Odd or Even Plan to reduce the pollution levels in Delhi. Kejriwal’s latest larger-than-life scheme proposes to have all even- number plated cars on the roads one day, and odd numbers on the next. In my opinion, this plan will engender more disasters than the good it will do.

To begin with, the idea will only enable one kind or number plates to run on the road. What about the other cars and their owners? The remaining working population will be pushed into a tight spot. There is absolutely no reason to hinder movement in an urban setting, our capital city especially, where some of the most nation – breaking decisions are made. Does the Chief Minister really want to hamper economic and social growth?

In addition to this, the idea will only be a temporary success. The Government will definitely not be able to sustain it in the long run. A couple of months after implementation, the pollution levels will retain themselves and traffic will be rebarbative again. The elite section of society in Delhi may purchase another vehicle, so that they have even and odd – numbered cars. They will be able to commute to and fro with ease every day. Or, what is stopping the poor and middle class from illegally buying two number plates? Do we really want to make Delhi more dangerous?

On the contrary, the ‘Odd or Even Plan’ does have potential to work itself out. The scheme may be far from the usual Governmental bromides, but it seems to be a humble attempt by our administration to the Delhi public. At least now we can justly say that our politicians are thinking up ideas to actually change public condition rather than plotting against the opposition parties. Instead of excoriating the Government, maybe we should acknowledge their efforts. In other words, this scheme may be first spark of political reform.

Another pro of the Odd or Even Formula is that other than decreasing traffic and pulling down pollution levels, it may also educate and create awareness about the environment. It is the poor which really bear the brunt of pollution. If roads are properly monitored and citizens abide to it sincerely, than the scheme has promises of working out. Moreover, this plan will also spread national awareness about environmental pollution and conservation.

Nevertheless, the Odd or Even Plan is highly irrational and beyond our time. India is at the pinnacle of economic growth and social –development and we simply cannot afford sully our very desperate breakthrough. Plus no matter how much hope Kejriwal has in this notion it may be better for the worse. Delhi, one of our most epochal cities, has very volatile crime rates and we are in no position to encourage them. The proposition may succeed at first, but it cannot protect itself from the India evils that will soon start poking holes in it.

All in all, the Odd or Even Formula proposed by the Delhi Chief Minister does not have enough life in it to be put into practice. It may cause more damage than we realize, even though it has a promising goal. One can never diminish the powers of greed, vainglory, and corruption in India, and the Odd or Even Scheme is a sitting duck waiting to be shot.