On the first working day of 2016, majority of Delhiites drove only even number plate cars on Monday and followed the odd-even scheme with full enthusiasm, according to the Delhi traffic police officials.
The Pioneer took the rounds of the city and found a traffic-jam free national Capital. The stretch from busy Pusa Road towards RK Ashram witnessed smooth traffic with only even number plate cars and a few those that had odd number were either CNG or women only driven vehicle.
At RK Ashram, Rupesh Aggrawal said, “It just took me around 25 minutes to travel from West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar to RK Ashram as my office is here. Earlier the stretch of Pusa Road used to be so busy that I used to spend around 1 hour in travelling.”
Most people welcomed the scheme happily as they got to experience jam free roads which led them to reach their destinations on time.
A Delhi traffic police official told The Pioneer that
people have shown their sincerity in following the odd-even policy. “We spotted only a few defaulters and they were fined,” he said.
Besides, smooth traffic was seen at Outer and inner circle of Connaught place, ITO, Ring Road, Mauthra Road and towards India Gate — places known for long traffic snarls.
Moreover, vehicles from outside Delhi were not entering the Capital due to odd-even policy.
As per the scheme, cars bearing odd-numbered registration plates shall ply on city roads on 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 while those with even number plates can run on the road on 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 respectively. If a driver found disobeying the rules will attract a penalty of `2,000 under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.
Around 25 categories of vehicles are exempted from the restrictions, including emergency service vehicles, taxis and cars being driven by women, which may have only female co- passengers and children up to age of 12.Two wheelers and CNG-run vehicles have also been exempted.