New Delhi: Municipal councillors, commissioners and other civic officials on Friday welcomed the rolling out of the odd-even scheme, saying they would extend full cooperation to make the road-rationing experiment a success.
"We are fully abiding by the rules prescribed during this 15-day period. And, thought it's a kind of light day today, one could actually feel that it was easier to drive on the streets. I mean normally, I would be stuck at India Gate hexagon area, but today we just whizzed past it," NDMC Commissioner P K Gupta told PTI.
All three municipal corporations, North, East and South (NDMC, EDMC and SDMC), besides other civic and urban agencies like the DMRC and DDA have been instructed to allow parking of vehicles according to the numbers only.
"As per the directive, we are allowing parking of odd-numbered vehicles today only and we will follow the rule for the remainder of the scheme also. Though it means revenue losses for us but it's a small price to pay for a cleaner environment," Gupta said.
The NDMC Commissioner said some of the municipal officials also carpooled to support the initiative.
"I myself have an odd-numbered car, which I drove to office today, tomorrow, I will think of an alternative, but we will ensure strict implementation of the rule," he said. Congress councillor Abhishek Dutt, of Andrews Ganj Ward said, "as per the vision of his party, I welcome any step that is in the interest of people and for the benefit of environment."
Dutt's ward in south Delhi, includes areas like Defence Colony and parts of Lajpat Nagar, where vehicular traffic and parking are major issues.
"We are fully cooperating with this initiative, and in fact, I have been encouraging people to carpool in my area.
Also, three days back, we launched a campaign to promote use of cycle. We are all for a greener environment," he said.
"However, I also think that this scheme should have been implemented only after strengthening the necessary supplementary and complementary infrastructure, like increased security in metro and boosting of last-mile connectivity. Without which it would just remain an eyewash," Dutt said.
The Andrews Ganj Councillor also alleged that, "besides, the benefit that it may accrue to people of Delhi, the whole scheme is timed to divert the attention from hike in salary of AAP MLAs and the Jan Lokpal issue."
The erstwhile unified Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) was trifurcated in 2012 into NDMC, EDMC and SDMC, with each having its own mayor and a commissioner.
"We welcome the move and I left my car home today as I have an even number. But I saw some cars plying on the roads with even numbers, I hope they are prosecuted. The plan is good but there has to be a strict implementation," said Mridul Bhattacharya who commutes from Sarojini Nagar to Central Delhi.
Rajesh Malhotra, a businessman, said, "I drop my wife on the way to my office. On alternate days, she will take the car and I will take a cab. It is inconvenient for sure but I think if implemented properly it will be beneficial in longer run".
Commuters also called for strengthening of public transport system if the government wants to ensure that odd-even scheme works out successfully.
"The idea is fine but the government needs to offer some strong alternatives. You cannot ask people to quit driving without providing them options about how they can travel. Metro frequency has to be maintained more buses need to be made available," said Brijesh Kunj.
Vikash Sharma, a medical representative, said, "It is huge inconvenience for public with all 'who's who' of Delhi being exempted under the scheme. Is it just meant for public? The scheme is fine but I believe there should be no exemptions for anyone".
