New Delhi: The second phase of Delhi government's odd-even car rationing scheme comes into effect in the national capital from today. The scheme, which will continue for 15 days, aims at curbing vehicular pollution and reducing traffic congestion.
Under the scheme, four-wheelers with odd registration numbers will ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates. The rule will be in operation from 8 am to 8 pm. However, it will not be applicable on Sundays.
Updates:
* Over 500 persons were fined by the Delhi Traffic Police for violating norms of the Odd-Even scheme in first five hours.
* The highest number of challans were reported from south Delhi, closely followed by the western part of the city, with 129 and 108 challans respectively issued till 1 PM today, a senior official said.
* As many as 511 motorists were challaned between 8 AM and 1 PM, the official said.
* If AAP thinks the odd even is a great programme, they should provide means to commute as well. AAP has had no new idea accept the odd even scheme, they have put up ads all across Delhi. Where is the money coming from?: Sheila Dikshit
* 2,000 traffic personnel, 580 enforcement officials and over 5,000 civil defence volunteers deployed for its smooth implementation of scheme
* I believe people in Delhi will follow odd-even today, all need to think positively: Transport Minister Gopal Rai
Exemptions
President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers and other VIPs. Besides, vehicles driven by women, emergency vehicles, CNG vehicles and cars carrying school children in uniforms will be exempted.
The rules of the odd-even scheme will apply on Delhi Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. The violation of rule will attract a penalty of 2,000 rupees. The city government has roped in over 5,000 Civil Defence Volunteers at various traffic points who will motivate the people to follow the rules of the scheme.
Extra services
200 Delhi Metro trains will make approximately 3,248 trips daily during the odd-even fortnight, a rise of about 56 trips over the existing arrangements. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will also add 30 coaches. Fifteen additional feeder buses will ply during this period, and three new routes will be introduced.
Metro authorities will also deploy additional ticket operators, security personnel and customer facilitation agents to handle the expected load on the ticketing system. Lines and stations will be monitored by control room and action will be taken to ensure that a crowd does not build up at booking points, ticket vending machines and security frisking points.
The first phase of the fortnight long scheme was implemented from January 1 to January 15 earlier this year.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, earlier this week, said that the public transport needs to be strengthened before implementing the scheme on a regular basis.
