Real impact of odd-even scheme will be tested on Monday: SIAM

NEW DELHI: Delhi government's odd-even car scheme seeking to curb pollution in city seems to have started off well but the real impact of the road rationing experiment will be tested on Monday, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers ( SIAM) today said.

As the ambitious scheme got underway, a first such intervention in the country to combat spiralling air pollution, the volume of cars in the streets came down significantly amid deployment of thousands of policemen and and moderately augmented public transport.

"It seems to have started well today. The real impact will be seen on Monday, the impact on air quality is more important," SIAM's Director General Vishnu Mathur told PTI.

Besides, regular DTC and cluster buses, an additional fleet of 3,000 buses have been deployed in the city as part of efforts to augment public transport during the 15-day-long pilot plan. The metro has also decided to run 70 extra trips.

The initiative which made a decent start today has received fair reception from civic and urban bodies and has left a section of the masses "impressed" while another "amused".

The SIAM said, that Monday being a full-fledged working day would prove to be the real indicator, as to the impact on the environment.

SIAM is the apex industry body representing leading vehicle and vehicular engine manufacturers in India. It is an important channel of communication for the automobile industry with the government, and national and international organisations.