Kejriwal unveils odd-even blueprint

He urged the people to rise to the challenge and follow the guidelines for the sake of their children’s health. In additional to VVIPs, CNG vehicles, ambulances, security forces, single-women drivers, physically challenged persons and two wheelers are exempted from the scheme.

“If a few will violate, they can be fined but if all violate nothing can be done. On the first two days, our volunteers will offer roses to the violators with a request to cooperate and follow the rules voluntarily,” said Kejriwal.

“I request the Prime Minister and his council of ministers as well to give a message to the public to cooperate. Their words and actions will motivate people to own up the scheme and follow it voluntarily,” said Kejriwal.

According to this formula, a motor vehicle whose registration number ends in an odd digit will be allowed on the roads on odd-numbered dates and a vehicle whose registration number ends in an even digit will be allowed to be driven on roads on even-numbered dates. This formula is being tried on a pilot basis initially for 15 days starting from January 1 and will apply between 8 am and 8 pm daily except on Sundays.

With Delhiites already gearing up to make alternative arrangements to travel, the implementation of this scheme will be a huge challenge on the part of the administration as well as the police.

While the majority of the people living in NCR have welcomed the move, they want local authorities to enforce it in a well-thought-out manner. A few of them advocate plying of more public transport buses, taxis and autos between the Capital and the NCR as they hardly feel that the idea of carpooling will be effective enough.

“I live in Gurgaon and I have to go to Delhi on a regular basis. Once this scheme is implemented, it will be difficult to travel accordingly. The authorities must improve public transport with immediate effect,” said Amit Kumar, an executive from Gurgaon.