Delhi played ball on Day One

On day one of the odd-even rule, Delhiites looked keen on supporting it.

At the busy ITO chowk, even though the volunteers and traffic police were deployed in large number, it was the public which seemed to be making the plan a success.

With most cars following the odd-even rule, the mediapersons looked keenly at every car stopping at the traffic signal to find those with even numbers. They were mostly left disappointed.

“People are taking it seriously. The violation is one out of 100,” said Rinkoo Kumar, a Civil Defence volunteer.

“I don’t know if the plan will bring down the pollution, but it’s a good start,” said Mohit Kukreja, who had car-pooled with his friend with an odd numbered vehicle.

“Tomorrow we will come in my car,” he added.

Khalid Jamal, who has an even-numbered car, was on his two-wheeler on Friday.
“If the government is doing something, why should not the public support,” he said.
Rishika Alakh, who is travelling with a friend with an odd-numbered vehicle, said that women should not have been exempted from the
rule.

“When we cry equality in everything, why not this,” she asks.

However, not everyone travelling in that route was following the government’s odd-even rule voluntarily.

“I do not think this will make any impact to the city’s air. Emissions by cars is the lowest form of pollution and government should focus on other things instead of these undemocratic decisions. I am following it because it has been imposed,” a commuter, who did not wish to be identified, said.

Another said, “Yes, I will follow it but, only because I don’t want to be challaned”.
In terms of enforcement, the traffic police seem to be lenient at the area so that “it doesn’t lead to traffic jam,” a traffic constable said, when asked why he didn’t stop an even-numbered car which passed from the area.

Even volunteers were clueless about their role beside holding placards. No offering of roses to violators was seen at the chowk.

“It will be enforced strictly through the week and violators will be challaned,” said Som Naidu, in-charge of the Civil Defence team.