Overwhelmed with response, Kejriwal thanks people for achieving the impossible. I am sure Delhi will show the way, he adds.
New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s radical odd-even formula for private cars aimed at mitigating spiralling air pollution levels has worked. On the first day of the 15-day pilot plan, based on reports from different areas it was described as ‘quite successful’ with people in the national capital region having largely accepted the restrictions with an “open mind”. Kejriwal however was quick to clear the air and assert that this is not a permanent measure. “This will go on till January 15. Then we will stop it and reassess. Nowhere in the world is the scheme enforced permanently. It is practically not possible. Whenever pollution levels spike this is used as a weapon,” he added. 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.
Commenting on the success of the initiative, he observed: “I repeatedly said that the scheme will meet with success only when people embrace it and not though force. It has become a movement and we are truly overwhelmed by the response we have received so far.” Under the regulations, cars bearing odd-numbered registration plates shall ply on city roads today while those with even number plates, if taken out, will attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. It will be vice-versa tomorrow.
With nearly a million vehicles staying parked on the first day of the 15-day trial period of the traffic movement scheme on the usually clogged city streets appeared smooth. But the scheme’s success – or failure – could be gauged properly only from Monday when many offices reopen after the year-end holidays. The government has also closed down all schools till January 15 to deploy school buses for public transport. But it is too early to measure the impact of this measure on the pollution levels in the capital that have consistently shot past WHO safety levels this winter.
However, for the citizens the silver lining is the cooperation between the state government run by the Aam Aadmi Party and the Delhi Police that is under the BJP-run state government. Obviously, the police system helped the scheme succeed on Day One and ironically one of the violators allegedly stopped at the India Gate was the Bharatiya Janata Party MP and former Mumbai Police commissioner Satyapal Singh. But he clarified that he had not broken the law. “Yes, my car was even numbered but I was not challaned. I belong to the exempted category. I wasn”t stopped by any constable. I called the constable to find out the venue of an event I went to. I am a law-abiding citizen and there is no question of violating the law. I have been a police commissioner myself.”
Chidu takes AK cue, endorses scheme
New Delhi : In first open endorsement by any Congress leader of Arvind Kejriwal government’s Odd-Even formula, former Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said he supports the plan, which will lead to behavioural change. “Speaking for myself, I support the Odd-Even plan. I think it is important that for short periods of time, such plans must be implemented in order to change peoples’ behaviour. It cannot be kept permanently there but for 15 days from time to time. If they introduce plans like this, I think the peoples’ behaviour will change.
“There will be more car-pooling, people will take the Metro, people will walk to the market which is 100 metres away. So I think behaviour will change but let us see how it works. I wish them well,” Chidambaram said at the AICC press briefing.
