Overwhelmed by ‘success’ of odd-even scheme: Delhi Chief Minister

The real test of the scheme is, however, expected to be on Monday when people resume work after a long weekend.

Kejriwal, who has repeatedly stressed on the need for the scheme to be successful in view of the capital’s alarming pollution levels, had warned volunteers against “arguing or misbehaving” with motorists. “I wish them well”, Chidambaram said at the AICC press briefing. To get updates one needs to send a direct message or tweet to @transportdelhi for help and route options. The minister owns an odd number vehicle, and plans to use a bicycle or carpooling on days he wouldn’t be allowed to take his auto out.

Under the scheme, 25 categories of people are being given exemptions including the VIPs.

The first violator, from Greater Noida, was caught at 8.33am near the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium and fined Rs 2,000.

“As many as 66 enforcement teams of the transport department and 40 teams led by sub-divisional magistrates will be monitoring the entire drive”, the minister added.

To cope with the extra pressure on the public transport network, the government has hired around 3,000 private buses. Nowehere in the world is the scheme enforced permanently.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the response”.

“I am very confident that Delhi people would like to give their loved ones a New Year gift-pollution free environment”, Manish Sisodia, Delhi’s deputy chief minister, told ANI. “(The people of Delhi today showed that they don’t care about the Central government.)” He also accused the Centre of trying to sabotage the scheme of road-rationing on the eve of its implementation by instigating the strike by bureaucrats. At some places, volunteers and civil defence personnel offered people roses prodding them politely to follow the scheme. Schools have been ordered to remain closed until the trial ends so that their buses can be pressed into action. “It’s a welcome step”, said local resident Ravi Puri. Delhi University students cycled to their colleges, though it is vacation time.

The Chief Minister made the remarks after the commencement of the radical scheme, which is aimed at mitigating spiralling air pollution levels with the stipulation today that private cars bearing odd-registration plates can ply on city roads.

“It is a bit exhausting, but I think we can manage to comply by the rules for two weeks”, the official said.

Plans to lower the city’s pollution levels included shutting down one of the oldest and least-efficient power plants, a temporary ban on the sale of large diesel vehicles and a stiff toll for pollution-spewing trucks entering the Indian capital. SAFAR said air quality goes bad if temperature falls and wind remains calm.

The odd-even rule came into effect at 8 am on January 1.