Even as the city gears up to reduce the number of private cars on the roads by half by January 1 many have found smart ways to beat the system. While some of these ways are completely legitimate, given the exemptions given by the Delhi Government to certain categories of vehicles and drivers, others are even willing to cross the line of the law which could invite serious legal trouble if caught.

Deepak Malhotra, who works in an IT firm in Gurgaon, has already arranged a second car for the fortnight. “I have to travel every day to Gurgaon from Pitampura. Even on a regular day, it takes me more than two-and-a-half hours to reach work if I use public transport. And during the next 15 days, the State of public transport will be much worse due to the odd-even restrictions. I had no choice but to borrow a car for the period,” he said.

like Deepak, many people are either borrowing cars or switching them with others if both their cars have even or odd numbers. A property dealer told The Pioneer on the condition of anonymity that he has two cars but both with even registration numbers. “Another of my friend has two cars with odd numbers. So we have decided to switch cars for 15 days. It will benefit both of us,” he added.

Sourabh Singh, a resident of Rohini, said, “luckily, my wife’s car has even registration number and mine is odd. So I have decided to take the odd-numbered car on odd dates and even-numbered one on even days. And my wife can use the other car on any day as she is exempted under the scheme.”

Besides, many people are reportedly buying fake number plates and stickers that can be pasted on a number plate making the registration number even on one day and odd on the other. However, both Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi and Transport Minister Gopal Rai have warned Delhi residents not to use unlawful way as if caught, offender won’t just have to pay Rs 2,000 fine, but will also be booked under law.