New Delhi: Four days into the announcement, the AAP government is yet to approach Delhi Police for deliberating over its odd-even formula of restricting movement of private vehicles in the national capital from January 1.
"They (the government) are yet to approach us for a reasonable discussion on the scheme, which is imperative for its implementation," said a senior official of Delhi Traffic Police.
He further said that there is also no clarity till now regarding the legal provisions under which people who violate the odd-even formula will be prosecuted.
"The implementing body should be given proper direction regarding which legal provisions they should adhere to for prosecuting offenders in this regard," said the senior official, adding that as far as the Motor Vehicles Act is concerned, at present there are no provisions under which any action can be taken for the breach of the said formula.
For the past few days, some Delhiites have also resorted to the Delhi Traffic Police helpline seeking clarification on the odd-even formula. But the police personnel, who have no clear directions so far, could not help the callers at all, the official said.
Earlier in the day, the AAP government said that it is the "responsibility" of Delhi Police to implement the formula to curb air pollution in the national capital.
"Police is a part of government and they (Delhi Police) are not the government. It is their responsibility to implement the law enacted by the government," Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said.
Delhi Traffic Police has a force of around 5,500 personnel, which in itself is inadequate in view of the rate of traffic violation in the city. Of the total strength, around 1,500 personnel are either on leave at any given point of time or reserved for VIP arrangements, said a senior traffic official.
"We are also open to the idea of engaging private security agencies as extra hands for curbing rampant traffic violations," said the official.
Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said that government has started a series of meetings to roll out strategy on the issue and DMRC will also be asked to increase its working hours to accommodate a huge crowd of passengers.
As per Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's plan, odd-numbered cars will be allowed to ply on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while even-numbered vehicles will run on the other days - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
On Tuesday, the government announced that both the odd and even-numbered cars will be allowed to ply on Sundays.
Government will only allow emergency vehicles like PCR van, fire tenders, ambulances on the roads of the national capital, said a senior government official.
