Odd-Even Plan Acid Test: No Chaos in Delhi on Day 4, as Predicted
Monday, the first working day of the year 2016, will ascertain whether Delhi has truly embraced the odd-even policy.
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- Delhi seems to have embraced the odd-even policy.
- Traffic was sparse early in the morning. There was no heavy presence of volunteers – meaning people were cooperating.
- Delhiites have responded positively to this experiment by the AAP government, it appears.
- Traffic picked up towards noon near Patiala House Court.
- Air quality remains the same when compared with the last two days.
- Metro runs as smoothly as a normal working day, says Delhi Metro MD.
- 600 car owners fined till 6 pm, reports ANI.
ANI reports about 600 car owners have been fined for violating the odd-even formula till 6 pm.
Metro is Functioning Smoothly: Mangu Singh
ANI reports that Delhi Metro Managing Director Mangu Singh said that the Delhi Metro is running smoothly like normal days. There was no panic seen at any station, Singh added.
The Quint rode through Rajiv Chowk at around 3.30 pm, and found it was business as usual for non-peak hours at the central metro station.
As of 3:30 pm, this is what the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station looked like. The station is a busy junction during most days of the week.
This is what The Quint has found out this morning.
Traffic was sparse early in the morning but now, it seems to be increasing in the Patiala House Court area.
There has not been any considerable change in the Air Quality Index (AQI) over the last two days but Delhiites say, on the first working day of the year, they can see a change in terms of traffic on the roads.
Mahindra, Toyota and Mercedes move Supreme Court seeking modification of the order that banned 2000 cc diesel cars. The court will hear the plea on Tuesday.
Aam Aadmi Party members religiously take the bus and carpooling options that they have provided to the people of Delhi for the 15 days that the odd-even policy will be in place.
At 9:40 am, traffic is sparse at Moolchand.
And the journey from Vasant Kunj to the DND toll has taken only 38 minutes.
The route from MG Road to Outer Ring Road has very few volunteers, which means most Delhiites are cooperating.
As of Monday morning, this is what Katwarai Sarai looks during the “rush hour”.
And this is what people headed to work are saying.
Are You Exempt?
Twenty categories of vehicles have been exempted from the odd-even scheme which will be applicable for 15 days.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will not be exempt from the rule even as the other VVIPs will be.
The 20 categories include:
- All two-wheelers.
-
CNG vehicles which will have to display the certificate
.
- Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.
Women drivers with a male child up to the age of 12. -
Vehicles of the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Governors of states/ Lt Governor, Chief Justice of India, Union Ministers, Leaders of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Chief Ministers of states except Delhi, judges of Supreme Court and High Court, Lokayukta.
Emergency vehicles, ambulance, fire, hospital, prison, hearse, enforcement vehicles.
Vehicles of paramilitary forces, Ministry of Defence, pilot and escort. -
Vehicles of SPG protectees.
Vehicles bearing diplomatic corps registration numbers. - Those on way to hospital for a medical emergency should carry proof.
- Vehicles of the physically challenged.
On 1 January, the trial run of Delhi government’s latest experiment, the odd-even policy, was implemented for the next fortnight. So far, the public did not seem reluctant to follow it. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced it a success as early as at 10 am on Friday. But it’s obvious that today, the first working day of the year, would be the acid test to whether the policy could indeed become a success.
With over 130 violations on the first day and the number increasing to over 200 on the second, Monday will determine if Delhi has truly embraced the government’s effort.
Also on The Quint:
AAP Offers Even-Odd Formula, But What About Evening The Odds?
Without Effective Planning Delhi’s Odd-Even Plan Will Create Chaos
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