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Odd violator slips through loopholes in bandobast

Last Updated 02 January 2016, 09:38 IST

Apart from praise for Delhi government’s first day of the odd-even car rationing campaign, it was also a day that exposed loopholes allowing some violators to run their even-numbered vehicles on city roads without getting challaned.

A Deccan Herald reporter travelled in one such even-numbered car on a day reserved for those with odd registration numbers. The three-hour trip over a large stretch of busy roads in east Delhi was carried out between 8 am and 11 am.
While 117 even-numbered vehicles were challaned on Monday, the one in which the reporter travelled returned to its starting point without any problem.

It was 8 am and the even-numbered car reached Vikas Marg just in time when the 12-hour curbs kicked in. The driver even slowed the vehicle while passing by police barricades but the men in khaki didn’t stop the car nor did they issue a challan. Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Muktesh Chander, however, had earlier announced that the force would not prosecute defaulters during peak hours to avoid pile-ups, and allow as smooth flow of traffic.

The trip started around 7.45 am from Mayur Vihar Phase 1 and covered Vikas Marg crossing-Preet Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Karkardooma and ending at Dilshad Garden by 9 am.

Some of the fellow even numbered-car drivers admitted they were taking advantage of police assurance that they will take a ‘lenient’ view of violations during rush hour.
“We have taken out our even-numbered cars only because cops will not be issuing challans between 8 am to 11 am. We would want to reach our office before 11 am,” said Rohit Sharma, a private firm employees heading to ITO.

The reporter took a different route on his way back to Mayur Vihar Phase 1 from Dilshad Garden, via Anand Vihar, and still managed to dodge traffic police at around 11 am. The car was not stopped even once.

Those complying with the odd-even scheme said there were fewer vehicles on the road, hinting at the success of the government’s road-rationing car curbs. “Mostly I saw odd-numbered cars on my way to office and the traffic wasn’t that heavy,” said Nishi Aggarwal, a government employee.

While others said that less than usual traffic could also be attributed to schools being shut for the winter vacation. “And also because many office-goers have taken off on New Year for an extended weekend. As many offices will be closed tomorrow as well, fewer vehicles are likely to ply on roads,” said Tushar Jha, a DU student.

“On Monday, when the hectic weekday begins, the Delhi government’s odd-even car scheme will be put to real test. It is to be seen whether the city’s public transport system will be able to absorb the burden of extra commuters during rush hours or not,” he added.

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(Published 02 January 2016, 09:38 IST)

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