Fifty-five lakh two-wheelers are the biggest contributors to the national capital's vehicular pollution, but the Delhi Government is in two minds over imposing the odd-even number restriction on them. According to environmentalists, bikes and scooters emit nearly 32 per cent of air pollutants generated by the transport sector in Delhi. However, there's no clarity whether plying of odd and even number two-wheelers will be restricted on alternate days as planned for private cars that are the third biggest polluter (22 per cent). Diesel-run trucks account for nearly 28 per cent of vehicular pollution in Delhi.

While the government is yet to prepare a blueprint, Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain on Monday said two-wheelers will be kept out of the ambit of the odd-even number formula. He said the restrictions will only be applicable to private cars. Transport Minister Gopal Rai, however, came out with a contradictory statement, saying the rule will be applicable on all private vehicles including cars and two-wheelers. A spokesperson said the government is yet to put the blueprint out in the public domain. "The government is flooded with suggestions; they are being considered carefully. Nothing should be treated as final till the blueprint is out in the public domain," he said.

Experts at the Centre for Science and Environment said the number of two-wheelers in Delhi is more than double the number of private cars and hence two-wheelers pollute the air more. "One-third of vehicular pollution in Delhi is caused by two-wheelers followed by trucks and private cars. The government plan of odd-even number will not yield the desired result unless restrictions are imposed on major contributors to air pollution," said Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director at the Centre for Science and Environment. Auto-rickshaws (4 per cent) and public transport buses (7 per cent) that run on CNG pollute the least. There are 81,269 auto rickshaws and 4,700 DTC buses registered with the Delhi Transport Authority.

There are over 55 lakh two-wheelers including motorbikes and scooters as compared to over 27 lakh private cars in Delhi. Close to 85 lakh private vehicles are registered in Delhi. While announcing the odd-even formula, the Delhi Government had maintained that all private vehicles - cars and two-wheelers alike - will be bound by the rule. Government officials said a steering committee is working out modalities for implementation of the odd-even formula, and a detailed report will be submitted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The new formula will be implemented from January 1 next year.

On Monday, the steering committee of Delhi government held a meeting regarding the implementation of the odd-even number formula for private vehicles. Officials said the committee has prepared a detailed report that will be submitted to the government on Tuesday. Based on the report, a detailed policy will be prepared and tabled in a Cabinet meeting soon. Kejriwal has called a review meeting of ministers and concerned officers on Tuesday wherein the detailed plan will be put before him.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said that both the odd and even-numbered cars will be allowed to ply on Sundays, adding it is the responsibility of the Delhi Police to implement the formula to curb air pollution in the National Capital.

However, the AAP government is yet to approach the Delhi Police, a key stakeholder in the matter, for deliberating over its odd-even formula. "There is no communication from the government to discuss an implementation of the odd-even number formula. Apart from the modalities regarding plying of vehicles, there is also no clarity on provisions under which violators will be prosecuted," said a senior traffic police official.

"The implementing body should be given proper direction on which legal provisions they should adhere to for prosecuting offenders in this regard. As far as the Motor Vehicles Act is concerned, there are currently no provisions under which any action can be taken for breach of the said formula," the official said. Delhiites have been making frequent calls to the Delhi Traffic Police helpline seeking clarification on the odd-even formula, but there are no clear directions.