Sikkim Govt To Implement Odd-Even Scheme To Ease Traffic Congestion

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Only the Gangtok Municipal Area -- more especially, the major National Highway between Mayfair Fatak and GICI, Zero Point -- will be subject to this limitation, an official said Friday

Notably, Delhi was the first city to use the odd-even scheme in 2016 as using license plate numbers, the program bans cars from the road

Gangtok, Oct 26: The Sikkim government will soon implement the odd-even scheme for both government and private vehicles in the state, officials said.

Only the Gangtok Municipal Area -- more especially, the major National Highway between Mayfair Fatak and GICI, Zero Point -- will be subject to this limitation, an official said Friday.

The goal of this project is to lessen traffic on the busy highway. The date of its implementation has not yet been disclosed by the authorities.

According to an official letter from the State Home Department, high-ranking officials will be exempted from the rule, and officers at the level of the additional secretary and higher officials will receive red exemption stickers from the department's protocol section.

The letter said that officers who hold the level of Joint Secretary or lower position and may also require an exemption should submit their information by October 26 along with appropriate explanations for higher authorities to consider.

Notably, Delhi was the first city to use the odd-even scheme in 2016. Using license plate numbers, the program bans cars from the road.

Private automobiles with registration numbers that finish in an odd number are permitted to travel on odd dates, while even-digit registration numbers are permitted on even dates.

Reducing carbon emissions from non-electric vehicles, a significant source of air pollution, was the main goal of Delhi's odd-even scheme.

The Odd-Even scheme, which typically goes into operation during winter in Delhi due to severe air pollution, has been questioned by experts for its efficacy.

An analysis of the Odd-Even scheme's results over the past five years has revealed that it mostly affects those who commute in their own cars rather than reducing Delhi's pollution.

According to Vivek Chattopadhyay, Principal Program Manager in the Centre for Science and Environment's Air Pollution Control Unit, Delhi's pollution levels began to rise in September.

It is anticipated that by mid-October, the air quality may deteriorate due to shifting weather patterns and a lowering wind speed.

Chattopadhyay asserted that even if the government begins using the Odd-Even strategy to reduce pollution early on, there would be more issues and fewer advantages.

He said that the Odd-Even rule should only be applied in extreme cases where there is no other option.

He added that this strategy should only be implemented for a brief time frame of four to six days.

(IANS)

read more National News

'I'm really proud...': AB de Villiers responds to Kohli's special Hall of Fame tribute

by Utkalika Mohanty

New Delhi, Oct 26: South African great AB de Villiers, who was one of the three players in the latest class of ICC Hall of Fame inductees alongside Alastair Cook and Neetu David, responded to the heart-touching letter that Virat Kohli wrote for him after he was honoured by ICC.

After De Villiers was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, his very good friend Kohli, penned a heartfelt note to the hard-hitting sensation. The letter read, "The Hall of Fame is a representation of your impact on the game, and yours has been truly unique. People have always spoken about your ability, and rightly so. You are the most talented cricketer I have played with, the absolute number one."

In a video posted on Instagram, AB de Villiers thanked ICC for his induction into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame and also responded to Kohli's letter, stating that it made him very proud to have Kohli write a letter for him.

"I want to thank all of you for supporting me and obviously a big thanks to the ICC. It's a great honour for me guys, thank you very much to the ICC, to all my fans out there, all the supporters over the years. I get very shy with these kind of things, so that's why I don't go on about it too much. But yes, obviously it's a very proud moment and it sort of reminds me of all the hard work that's gone into getting to moments like this," de Villiers said in the video posted on his Instagram handle.

"It's really special for me and obviously Virat as well, thank you very much for the kind words. What I'm really proud about is Virat speaking about me always putting the team first," he added.

De Villiers, who retired from international cricket in 2018, boasts a batting average of more than 50 in both Test and ODI cricket, and has a whopping tally of 20014 international runs, second to only Jacques Kallis among South Africans.

"Always being prepared to do everything I can to have an impact on the team. And that's how I want to be remembered by, not by my stats or my records. I want to be remembered as a guy who contributed to the team and always put the team first. I'm very, very proud about that and I will not shy away from that. That's certainly the way I played my cricket and it was always a priority to me," he concluded.

--IANS

Read Sports News

Act Against Unsafe Helmet Makers To Boost Road Safety: Centre To District Officials

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

New Delhi, Oct 26: In an effort to minimise road accidents in the country, the government Saturday said it has asked district collectors and district magistrates to launch a nationwide campaign targeting manufacturers and retailers who sell non-compliant helmets for two-wheeler riders.

Substandard helmets, which lack the requisite BIS certification, are being sold on the roadside which pose a severe risk to public safety and has been linked to numerous fatalities in road accidents. The government has already made wearing a helmet mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act 1988.

The government has called for strict enforcement against manufacturers operating without BIS licenses or using counterfeit ISI mark, as well as retailers peddling these non-compliant products to unsuspecting consumers.

“Consumers can verify whether a helmet manufacturer is licensed by BIS through the BIS Care App or by visiting the BIS website,” said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. This initiative comes as a response to the growing concerns over the quality of helmets available in the market and their critical role in safeguarding lives on the road.

"Helmets save lives, but only if they are of good quality. This initiative is crucial in removing unsafe helmets from the market and educating consumers about the importance of BIS-certified products. We urge all stakeholders to actively participate in this campaign for the safety of our citizens,” said Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs.

The government urged district officials to take a personal interest in this matter and launch a special campaign to ensure the enforcement of the Quality Control Order. District officials are encouraged to collaborate with the District SP and BIS field officers to Identify and address violations.

To date, 162 licenses have been cancelled/expired related to manufacturing of substandard/non-lSI helmets. Also, a total of 27 search and seizure have been conducted on misuse of BIS standard mark/violation of quality control orders and cases were filed in various court, informed the Department.

(IANS)

read more National News

Cyclone Dana Aftermath: Restoration Work Under Process, Assessment To Be Completed Within 7 Days

by Utkalika Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Oct 26: Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, which struck early Friday, brought heavy rains and winds exceeding 110 km/h, uprooting trees, toppling power poles, and damaging houses and crops in some districts of Odisha.

Odisha Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari informed that the damage assessment work would start soon and as per the decision, the damage assessment work will be completed within seven days.

Talking to the media persons, Revenue Minister said that The department is fully geared up for the incessant rains. The rain has raised concerns.

Zero casualty mission has been successful. 2,200 babies were born amidst Cyclone Dana. Pujari thanked ASHA Workers for helping pregnant women for safe institutional deliveries.

The cyclone outbreak would have been more if there were no mangrove trees at bhitarkanika forest.

Preliminary reports came yesterday that four officers suspended for dereliction of duty. Three PEO and one RI have been suspended. The aerial survey will be conducted today informed Pujari.

We will continue to work to rehabilitate people. District collectors and four departments have been directed to carry out the survey.

The severe cyclonic storm Dana has also caused extensive damage to several houses. Two towers have been damaged. A cow has died of snake bite. We will send the final report within 7 days. Teams from the centre will come for the survey. 22 lakh people have run out of electricity, we are trying to restore the electricity connection by evening.

Arrangements have been made to accommodate people in the relief center for seven days. Arrangements have been made to vaccinate the animals. We are keeping an eye on possible flood at Mayurbhanj’s Budhabalanga.

Read Odisha News

Download Argus News App

Sikkim Govt To Implement Odd-Even Scheme To Ease Traffic Congestion

Download Mobile App