Delhi: Bassi urges people to not misuse exemption in odd-even scheme

New Delhi, Dec 29: Delhi Police today asserted that it does not apprehend any serious problem in implementation of the odd-even scheme and appealed to Delhiites to not misuse the exemption related to medical emergency, saying they should not start their new year with a lie.

"I appeal to people in Delhi not to start their new years by lying about medical emergencies to evade the scheme, which is largely based on common trust," Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi told reporters when asked about potential misuse of the exemption in connection with medical emergencies.

Asserting that despite manpower constraints, the department has taken several steps to improve road safety and ensure mobility with safety in Delhi, Bassi said, "So this (the odd-even scheme) will be another task, in which we do not apprehend any serious problem, particularly because the number of exemptions make the job easier."

The top cop, who had yesterday said that the policy is being rolled out in a hurry, however, added that they have sought some clarifications on the exemptions.

He also appealed to people to not go for fake number plates or related ideas in order to evade the scheme, as the offence does not only violate the Motor Vehicles Act but also attract provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

The police chief said that traffic officials are anyway always deployed on the roads, so participating in a dry run of the scheme tomorrow, which he claimed he is yet not aware of, wouldn't be a problem.

Apart from the exemption on medical emergencies, the traffic department has asked Delhi Government about clarification on a number of exemptions, of which one happens to be related to women.

"What do we do if a woman, who doesn't know how to drive, is travelling with a driver? Do we ask the driver to leave his seat, eventually leaving the woman stranded? This is one issue on which we would like to take up with the government and ask if an amendment in the scheme is possible," Bassi said.

Bassi had also made it clear that those who want to render their services for implementation of the odd-even scheme must come to concerned DCP (traffic) offices by 12 noon today, following which they can be guided regarding the process.

PTI