India introduces vehicle ban to battle Delhi smog

“Mere rules cannot change anything, change of mindset is needed which we aimed at through implementation of odd-even formula”.

India’s capital has been shrouded in a toxic blanket of smog in recent weeks as cooler temperatures trap pollutants in the atmosphere, pushing harmful particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels sky-high. “Those having odd-numbers are buying even number cars and those having even numbers are buying odd number cars”, said Himanshu, a Delhi resident.

He said he did not use his vehicle on Friday as his was an even-numbered one.

A civilian volunteer holds roses to be given to the drivers not following the rules on the first day of a two-week experiment to reduce the number of cars to fight pollution in New Delhi, India, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016.

Still, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that he was “overwhelmed” by the response and even tweeted singer John Lennon’s song, Imagine, to urge support for the scheme. I hope someday you’ll join us.

Delhi Police chief B.S. Bassi has appealed to people to follow the odd-even rule.

The situation on the ground was certainly positive.

Also, around 203 people were fined with Rs 200 for violating the odd-even scheme. Rai said that in the first few days of the campaign, the enforcing authorities would concentrate on aware ness, rather than challaning people. “Delhiites are too used to their cars”, Kirti Lal, who commutes by bus, told Agence France-Presse.

The scheme will be truly tested tomorrow, when millions of commuters will have to find alternative ways to get to work after the long New Year weekend.

“They have to come up with the template, and that system should be sustained even beyond the 15-day program”, she said. “Pollution levels can not be reduced like this since most pollution is caused by construction work and traffic jams”. He added that AAP had done what no other government has dared to do. The MLA spoke up, “Well there is nothing to be anxious about as the Delhi Chief minister doesn’t have the power to impose a curfew in the state”. “The success of the odd-even scheme has made us confident that even more hard tasks can be accomplished if our effort is going to benefit the people”, he said. “Bus lanes were cleaned and encroachments removed, which is partly why traffic was so smooth today”.

The day also saw the flagging off by Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain of a free electric-bike taxi service for 15 days.

However, Anil Arora of Ganga Ram Hospital said doctors should be exempted from this policy.

Rai, who criss crossed areas across Delhi to take stock of the scheme’s implementation, also “wholeheartedly” thanked Delhi Police for ensuring implementing the scheme with total commitment.

Environmental expert Anumita Raichaudury said that it was good news for the city to finally have an emergency plan for times when pollution hits hazardous levels.