JOIN USSir,
The Delhi odd-even traffic plan is clearly a success. Whether it was able to reduce pollution is a secondary issue though statistics show that it was able to bring down the pollution by a notch or two.
This could be because of the changing wind and weather pattern during the period in which the odd-even traffic plan was in force. But the larger take-away from this has been the fact that Delhi roads became decongested allowing people to move freely and quickly. A corollary of lower traffic on roads is a lower accident rate. More importantly the credit for the success of the odd-even traffic plan is to Delhi’s citizens who showed the will and discipline to follow the plan in true spirit.
Though the authorities would have to improve the availability of public transport and the carrying capacity of the Metro which was severely tested during this period but even then kudos to the Delhi public for maintaining a straight face and going through with it The Delhi government and the Delhi police also need be complimented on implementing the plan firmly and determinedly. For all that one can find to blame Arvind Kejriwal and his Delhi government, you cannot fault them for thinking outside the box and their conviction once they have decided to do something.
Where the BJP or Congress or the other political parties may have dithered in implementing such a plan and on such a scale, the AAP showed that it had the guts and the ability to go through with it. Now with the success of the odd-even traffic plan at Delhi other metropolitan cities can follow this by modifying it to suit their local conditions. It has been a good start in the New Year on the front of fighting pollution and building teamwork and discipline by the AAP government in Delhi and it is now up to the other State governments across the country to put their best foot forward and hold aloft similar achievements.
S KamatGoa