New Delhi: The Delhi police had suggested the AAP government to allow women not having a driving licence or not knowing how to drive to travel with a male driver, but the proposal was shot down, Commissioner of Police B S Bassi said today.
Speaking to PTI on the eve of the roll out of the ambitious odd-even scheme, Bassi appreciated the initiative of the AAP government, saying any step which helps the environment cannot be a bad thing and asserted he will ensure full implementation of the vehicular restrictions.
“We thought in the interest of women safety that another exception could be made in favour of women travelling alone with a driver. This suggestion has not been accepted by the government. So now, If any woman travels with a (male) driver, in violation of the scheme, such a driver shall be liable for prosecution,” he told PTI.
Women drivers have been kept out of the purview of the fortnight-long scheme. When asked whether the scheme was a good initiative by the Arvind Kejriwal-led governmnent with which Delhi Police have had frequent run-ins on a range of issues, Bassi said.
“Anything which can help preserve the environment cannot be a bad thing.” “Whatever we do, we always do it with full commitment. We never do anything half-heartedly. We never have any hesitation in working with anybody as long as something is required to be done as part of law enforcement.
“But we obviously will not be part of anything which is unconstitutional or illegal,” the police chief said. He said all motorists should comply with the provisions of the odd-even scheme and should not fake medical emergency to get exemptions.
“As long as the law, which I am supposed to enforce, has not been declared unconstitutional or ultra vires, I have no option but to enforce it. So as far as I am concerned, the notification which has been issued by the government is a valid law (for the odd-even scheme). So as a law enforcement officer, I shall be implementing the same,” the police chief said.
The fortnight-long odd-even scheme will kick in tomorrow and the Delhi government expects it to bring down air pollution substantially. The Delhi government has decided to restrict plying of private cars bearing odd and even registration numbers to alternate days from January 1 to 15 as part of the first phase of the scheme.
Private cars having odd registration numbers will be allowed to ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates.
Those caught violating the scheme will have to pay a penalty of Rs 2000.
