Delhi government all set for the odd-even scheme

NEW DELHI: Delhi government is all set to roll out its ambitious odd-even scheme tomorrow, as final touches are being given to preparations ahead of its first such road-rationing experiment.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai today appealed to Delhiites to make the scheme a success as the move will clear the city's polluted air for children, and said despite the alleged "conspiracy" by the BJP, it will be "successful".

Besides, pressing into service 3,000 additional buses, the government has issued two helplines - 011-42400400 and 011-41400400 - for people to register their complaints and suggestion in connection with the scheme.

200 teams of Delhi Traffic Police, 66 enforcement teams of transport department and 40 teams of sub-divisional magistrates will be deployed tomorrow to ensure strict implementation of the scheme.

As per the traffic restriction plan, odd-numbered cars will be allowed to run on odd dates while even-numbered vehicles can only ply on even dates.

Motorists will have to cough up Rs 2,000 for violating odd-even rules. Delhi Police Commissioner B S Bassi appreciated the Arvind Kejriwal government's ambitious plan and assured "100 per cent commitment" in its strict implementation.

"200 teams of civil defence volunteers will be deployed at 200 locations. 45 teams of DTC, 29 teams of DMRC, 15 teams of DIMTS have been formed to ensure adequate arrangements for providing better public transport service.

"Volunteers will not stop any moving vehicles, instead they would only offer a rose to violators at traffic intersections to not to violate the odd-even rules," Rai said.

He also said that apart from DTC's 4,600 buses and 1,400 cluster buses (orange line), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) will run 3,000 additional private buses, including of 1,800 school buses, to accomodate extra rush of commuters during the 15-day-long scheme. Delhi Metro will also increase frequency of its trains.