Odd-even a success, continue it voluntarily, says Kejriwal

The odd-even campaign of traffic curbs in Delhi aimed at fighting pollution was a success, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday, asking residents to continue it voluntarily.

Less than four hours before the January 1-15 experiment is set to end, Kejriwal said the odd-even plan did bring down pollution and, more importantly, did away with unending traffic snarls across the capital.

"We received overwhelming support for the odd-even plan," the Aam Aadmi Party leader told the media. "It was personally overwhelming."

Under the plan, odd numbered vehicles were allowed to ply on odd dates in the first fortnight of the year while even numbered vehicles took to the roads on even dates.

There were several exceptions to the plan including a string of VIPs, women, emergency services and CNG-operated public transport.

Kejriwal specially thanked Delhi High Court and Supreme Court judges who pooled cars to follow the odd-even scheme although they had been exempted from the plan.

The chief minister urged the people of Delhi to keep following the odd-even formula voluntarily from Saturday "if you can do it". "It is a question of our health, our children's health, our city."

Kejriwal said most people, including those who were inconvenienced by the plan, admitted that the odd-even curbs severely restricted the quantum of traffic on Delhi's roads, making commuting a pleasant experience.

"People started saying that they had begun to car pool and were spending far less time on the roads. It looked as if Delhi's roads had been cleared of traffic congestion."