The Delhi government’s public opinion campaign ‘Aapki Raay’ on road-rationing (odd-even) scheme whether to introduce it again witnessed a mixed response on Sunday.
On the second day, members of the Legislative Assembly from 13 constituencies – Shakur Basti, Greater Kailash, Mehrauli, RK Puram, Ballimaran, Sadar Bazaar Karol Bagh, Wazirpur, Jangpura, Chattarpur, Model Town, Kasturba Nagar and Madipur – organised jan sabhas to know people’s views on the scheme. “Although, the city needs initiative like odd-even to curb pollution. But in the absence of an improved public transport system, it is hard to receive public support,” said Shomesh Dayal, a respondent at Paharganj jan sabha. Several legislators said that the response for the continuation of the scheme was overwhelming. “Delhi wants odd-even to be back soon and the response clearly shows it. But our government is bound with its policy of deliberation with the citizens of Delhi before coming up with a policy,” said Vishesh Ravi, an AAP lawmaker from Karol Bagh.
The ‘Aapki Raay’ poll campaign in the Mehrauli Assembly constituency witnessed a cheering response from residents. Naresh Yadav, MLA of the area, and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Onkar Marathe noted public suggestions on bringing back the odd-even formula. Most of the respondents were seen raising their hands, favouring the government alternate day car driving policy.
However, ahead of the Board exams in March and April, several students at the “opinion poll” venue were heard suggesting that they should be exempted from the preview the odd-even.
“Calls are also being made through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology, used by telecom companies. People are being given a number of options on the proposed measure to choose from,” Yadav added.
The government has already opened a dedicated phone line, a website, put up online forms and an email address on a six-point questionnaire on car-rationing measures.