Protest at Jantar Mantar to get back odd-even

Demanding continuation of the odd-even scheme in the national Capital, hundreds of students from Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, along with Delhi Transport Corporation workers organised a day-long dharna at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.

“The city has witnessed a relief form long hours of  traffic jam, pollution level has come down, people are praising the step, but government has stopped this initiative which forced us to protest here,” said Shehla Rashid Shora, an All India Student Association office berar.

“We are also demanding for the up gradation and promotion of public transport in Delhi. People use more private vehicles due to lack of public transports available for them,” Shora, added.

Many  DTC workers were also participating in the dharna, but their demand was  increasing the fleet of buses so new jobs could be created.  Vijay Kunmar a bus conductor in the Corporation, who was at the protest  said: “DTC has also earned a good revenue as increased number of people used it during the odd-even scheme.”

“Government should increase the fleet of DTC buses. Currently, the Corporation has half the number of buses of the required number for the Capital,” conveyed Vijay.

Anmol Kumar, another, AISA member, said: “Shutting off the road reservation scheme has left  the city to the vulnerability. While coming to the Jantar Mantar, in the morning, we witnessed  a severe traffic congestion.  Within an hour, there were long tailbacks between JNU campus and Moti Bagh road in South-Delhi.”

“We had supported the initiative since the inception of the alternate day driving plan, but government has not consulted us before concluding the plan. Any scheme for curbing pollution has to be for a long time period,” added  Anmol. “For fighting pollution, government must commence the odd-even permanently,” concluded Anmol.

Madhurima from Hindu college, said: “Inspite, experiencing a crowded journey in buses, I want to see that the road reservation scheme is being resumed.  The trial period of odd-even plan has proved that the people of Delhi can breathe fresh air and enjoy a congestion-free ride.”

While praising the patience of Delhiites for coping up with the initiative and making the odd-even scheme a big success, Sangeeta, a student from JNU said: “The citizens of Delhi have proved wrong to all those  thinking  the road reservation scheme will die unsuccessful.” The Delhi government had launched its ambitious alternate day car drive scheme from January 1, which ended on Friday.  The government has announced a cheer moment with the volunteers who worked relentlessly for making the initiative a success and has called for a meeting at North-Delhi’s Chhatrasal Stadium.