Updated
Violators greeted with roses
New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS): Each time an even-numbered vehicle was flagged down here, the offending motorist was offered a rose -- and some counselling about the rising pollution levels in the national capital.
The scene was a busy traffic intersection near Noida where a number of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) volunteers were assisting Delhi Police personnel in keeping a tab on vehicles following the launch on Friday of the odd-even scheme for restricting movement of cars.
There were no police barricades near the Delhi-Noida border in the morning and the volunteers tried to ensure a smooth flow of traffic on the road. The volunteers, however, flagged down a few even-numbered four-wheelers and went up to the driver to present a rose, reflecting a Gandhian spirit.
They also counselled the motorists to follow the Delhi government's odd-even plan and asked them to return. While some vehicle owners followed the instructions, others gave their reasons for not being able to comply with the plan.
Shiv Kumar Sharma, a civil defence volunteer from Geeta Colony circle in east Delhi, said his group was able to persuade some motorists to turn back. "We are here since 7 a.m. We are giving roses to people and couselling them about the odd-even formula. So far, we have persuaded around a dozen people to turn back," he said.
"Some people said they were going to hospital or there was an emergency. We did let them go."
The roses were provided by the area district magistrate's office.
Another civil defence volunteer, who did not wish to be named, said his group refrained from entering into any argument with the violators and requested them to comply with the rule.
"We cannot prosecute people. The police will do that," he said, adding that the police were cooperating with them.
There were a few commuters who stopped by to cheer the volunteers. "This is a very good initiative. The volume of traffic has come down," said Dinesh Singhal, a biker.
The odd-even scheme that allows odd- and even-numbered private vehicles to ply on the city roads on alternate days aims at reducing air pollution levels. The scheme started here on Friday on a trial basis and will end on January 15.
Earlier Report
Odd-even scheme starts in Delhi, overwhelmed by 'success', says Kejriwal
New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS): Delhi government's odd-even scheme on car movement to curb pollution in the national capital started on Friday.
As per the rule, cars with odd-number registration would be allowed to ply on Friday.
Those not abiding the rule would be fined Rs.2,000.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he was "overwhelmed" by the response of people towards the odd-even scheme here.
"I am truly overwhelmed by the response we have received so far. There are very less even-numbered cars on the roads. The plan seems to have been successful," he told media.
He said the people of Delhi accepted the scheme "whole-heartedly", adding "I am confident that in next five years people will show the way to rest of the country".
"Delhi has done it! Reports so far very encouraging. Delhiites! You give me hope that you are capable of achieving big challenges," Kejriwal said in a tweet.
"I am pooling my car and going to office with two ministers, my personal secretary and my joint secretary," he said.
Mooted by the Delhi government, the odd-even scheme that allows odd and even-numbered private vehicles on the city roads on alternate days aims at reducing air pollution levels in the national capital.