The odd-even road rationing scheme by the Delhi government proved to be a major success on Saturday (day two) following a drop of 300 percent in air pollution levels recorded in some parts of Delhi as compared to previous year.
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Hundreds of thousands of odd-numbered cars will go off the roads in the national capital as the odd-even scheme enters its second day. “There were very few even-numbered cars on the roads, and my overall sense is that people have accepted the need for such action”. While the school children who took the awareness campaign lead yesterday, were not seen today, more civil defence volunteers were seen on busy stretches holding posters and guiding the public to abide by the rules.
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“The government will either have to introduce more cabs or be more friendly to cab companies”, said Shashi Sharma, an Uber driver plying from CP to Rohini.
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“I appeal to people to cooperate with Delhi Traffic Police for 15 days”, said Bassi, assuring that adequate personnel have been deployed for implementation of the scheme throughout the city.
There are, however, a number of exemptions, including VIPs; women travelling alone or only with other women; two-wheelers; non-polluting vehicles; emergency services; and the physically challenged.
An Indian worker puts a sticker on a vehicle that shows it runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) after checks at a pump in New Delhi. The volunteers are meant to encourage people to fall in line with the government’s plan to allow private cars on the roads only on alternate days from January 1-15, depending on whether their license plates end in an even or an odd number. Traffic police were quick to fine them a steep 2,000 rupees (40 USA dollars). By the time the clock struck eight again in the evening when the restrictions officially ended for the day, over 200 fines had been issued – a paltry figure given the city’s 25 lakh-strong vehicle population. “Delhiites are too used to their cars”, local resident Kirti Lal said.
“The even-odd measure will only add to people’s problems instead of benefiting them”.
“People of Delhi have adopted it (odd-even) as their own mission and the government is just helping them”.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai said all arrangements were in place to handle the situation on Monday when all offices open.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia rode a bicycle from his residence on Mathura Road to the All India Radio office building on Parliament Street, and then to the Delhi Secretariat. According to the data collected at several stations, a dip in particulate matter (one of the ingredients of vehicular exhaust) – PM 10 (particle below 10 micron in diameter) and PM 2.5 (below 2.5 micron and more risky given the smaller size) – was seen in the first half of the day.
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“The experience so far shows that people in Delhi have adopted this measure whole-heartedly, it has become a movement and I am truly overwhelmed by the response that we have received so far”.
