Odd-even plan kicks off to a flying start

Compressed Natural Gas-run cars with special stickers, public buses, CNG auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, women drivers and VIP vehicles, among others, are exempted. Mr Kejriwal said there were very few even-numbered cars on the road today. The first prosecution for violating restrictions took place at ITO junction about 33 minutes after the restrictions were implemented Friday morning. There were also 66 teams of the transport department and 44 of sub-divisional magistrates. As per initial observations of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the gains of less vehicular emissions could have been more, had there been less vehicular movement and no bursting of firecrackers on the night of January 31.

Rai said 3,000 additional buses have been arranged to handle extra pressure on public transport, including 1,800 school buses and 1,200 private contract carriage buses.

Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi on Friday appealed to the people of Delhi to cooperate for the successful implementation of the odd-even formula for the next 15 days. The same Delhi, which was called selfish, has shown the way.

“We can not prosecute people”.

Delhi government has launched two helplines 011-42400400 and 011-41400400 for queries and clarifications.

On Government deciding to slap a fine of ‘2,000 on violators of the scheme, Bassi said it should not be an issue as there are stricter provisions for flouting traffic norms at present.

People of Delhi have welcomed the unique initiative, which has already been a success in many European cities, including Paris. “Now they want a pollution-free city”, Rai told a press conference with PWD Minister Satyendar Jain.

Kejriwal asked the students to tell their parents to get pollution under control certificates for their vehicles even as he said that the state government is taking necessary measures to curb pollution from industrial units located in the capital.

Calling the child close to the podium, Kejriwal said that the Aam Aadmi Party government is already working on a road redesigning plan and most roads in Delhi will soon have separate cycling lanes.

“I am truly overwhelmed”. “As per initial reports, the plan has been quite successful and people in the national capital have largely accepted the restrictions with an open mind”, he said.

Added A. Mahalingam, a south Delhi resident: “I saw only four even-numbered vehicles on the roads today”. Lakshmi, who travels 20 kilometres from North to South Delhi to work cleaning houses, said she had encountered no difficulties.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai was seen boarding a bus from the secretariat.

Another civil defence volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said his group refrained from entering into any argument with the violators and requested them to comply with the rule.