276 fined on second day of odd-even plan implementation

Cars with even-numbered plates will be allowed on even numbered days.

Most cars appeared to be following the rules on Friday and traffic was a trickle compared to the usual rush-hour chaos. But with schools and colleges shut, and many offices closed for the New Year’s holiday, it was not clear how much of the reduced traffic was the result of the new regulations.

However, it remains unclear if the city would use the rules to improve air quality when pollution reaches hazardous levels. The trial will last until Jan 15.

Vehicle volume may be less as it is New Year’s Day but it is to be noted that a lot of them have odd number registration plates.

It was the turn of odd-number plates yesterday. Violators coughed up Rs 2,000 as fine, as per the odd-even rule.

More than a million private cars were banned from New Delhi’s roads on Friday, as authorities began testing drastic new measures to cut smog in the world’s most polluted capital.

But traffic policemen on Friday were happy and surprised to find Delhiites obeying the rules.

The severe traffic restrictions have been imposed in an effort to reduce the toxic air pollution in the world’s most polluted capital. “This is not a fight between AAP and BJP or between Delhi and central government”. By late afternoon, the team of police and volunteers had warned 500 violators. “I hope Delhi will show the way to the rest of the country”, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.

The Chief Minister said, “The plan’s success has strengthened our confidence that if public is taken along even hard tasks can be handled and public support is bigger than even the Lieutenant Governor and the Centre”.

Delhi resident Pankaj Mehta, who drives 45km to work daily, told AFP that the restrictions would make commuting hard. “It has become a movement and we are truly overwhelmed by the response we have received so far”.

Along with two wheelers, cars operating on natural gas have been exempted.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai thanked people of Delhi for making the Delhi government’s road rationing scheme a success and choosing health over comfort. The massive construction in satellite towns and wood fires in nearby rural areas have added to the problem.

Delhi Social Welfare minister Sandeep Kumar termed his bus ride as a “stress buster” as he could interact freely with fellow passengers. Going by mainly vote bank politics, the government can not take measures for the long-term benefit of the people, and in that case it would have been very hard to implement the odd-even formula. The Delhi High Court even questioned exemptions given to women drivers and motorcyclists, who account for 31 per cent of vehicular traffic.