Violators of odd-even rules offered roses by volunteers

“We are here since 7 a.m. We are giving roses to people and couselling them about the odd-even formula”.

With big Indian cities experiencing a deteriorating air quality, the environment ministry is set to put up pollution measurement instruments in 66 cities with more than 1 million population to estimate the extent of pollution, DHNS reports from New Delhi. The pilot plan will be in force till January 15.

“I could have driven in my odd numbered vehicle today but I have made a decision to commute to Secretariat for next 14 days on my motorbike”, he said adding that he was riding bike after a gap of 5-6 months.

Hundreds of traffic police and volunteers took to the streets to enforce the scheme, including dozens of children wearing smog masks and holding banners urging drivers to comply. It is practically not possible. The Chief Minister said the restrictions may again be invoked for a few days in the next 2-3 months if pollution level sees a jump.

“I would have expected to catch at least dozens in the first half an hour, but surprisingly most people are obeying”, said Ankit Kumar, a traffic policeman.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the response we have received so far”.

On January 1, the first prosecution for violating the odd-even scheme took place at ITO junction about 33 minutes after the restrictions became operational at 8am today. It will be vice-versa tomorrow.

Apart from acknowledging that the seeming success was related to factors such as several Delhiites being away on vacation, many private offices being closed on the first day of the New Year and the fact that city schools were closed for winter break, the government accepted that Monday would be the actual litmus test for the internationally debated vehicle rationing experiment.

There were no police barricades near the Delhi-Noida border in the morning and the volunteers tried to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the road.

Delhi has seen pollution levels double in a decade with the spiralling number of vehicles.

“People of Delhi have adopted it (odd-even) as their own mission and the government is just helping them”. But he clarified that he had not broken the law. I belong to the exempted category. I am a law-abiding citizen and there is no question of violating the law.

The odd-even scheme for controlling the number of cars on the capital’s roads is not here to stay, but will be enforced when air-pollution levels spike, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Friday. “Speaking for myself, I support the Odd-Even plan. But it needs to be implemented with adequate planning”, he added.

And although embassies too have been exempted, the USA and French embassies have said they will abide by the odd-even policy. “Many of us are thrilled to share a vehicle and come to the office even if it’s just for 15 days”. “Delhiites! U give me hope that U are capable of achieving big challenges”, he said in another tweet.