Delhi Pollution: No Surge Pricing By Uber, Ola During Odd-Even, Says CM Kejriwal

"I took a review meeting on Odd-Even with all the agencies present in the meeting. The cab companies have been directed to not surge pricing during the drive. I also want to appeal to all the auto-rickshaw drivers to strictly run on a meter," Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said.

Commuters make their way along a street in smoggy conditions in New Delhi on November 1, 2019. - A bid to reduce road traffic will be introduced in the coming days with odd and even registration plates allowed on Delhi roads on alternate days to help reduce pollution. (Photo by AFP)

New Delhi: App-based cab companies like Ola and Uber won’t be allowed to levy surge pricing during the Odd-Even scheme to be implemented in Delhi from November 4 to 15, said CM Arvind Kejriwal, adding “auto rickshaw drivers have also been asked to go by the meter prices”. A notification to implement the scheme was issued by the Delhi government on Friday. Addressing a press conference here, he expressed hope that the scheme, being implemented for the third time in Delhi, would reduce pollution which is very severe right now. "Delhi is doing everything from distributing two masks each to every household to implementing the Odd-Even scheme in the national capital," Kejriwal said. "I took a review meeting on Odd-Even with all the agencies present in the meeting. The cab companies have been directed to not surge pricing during the drive. I also want to appeal to all the auto-rickshaw drivers to strictly run on a meter," he said. The chief minister said that the cab companies have promised cooperation in this regard. He said a study by the University of Chicago has revealed that the previous edition of Odd-Even had lowered pollution by 15 per cent. "We are now distributing 50 lakh masks to the people of Delhi. We will procure more number of masks next time," he said. Apart from all these measures, Kejriwal added that the order for staggered office timings of the Delhi government has also been issued. The offices of various departments of the Delhi government will open at 9.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., he said. (With additional information from Agencies)