Odd-even scheme kicks in; volunteers join police to enforce

New Delhi, Jan 1: As the clock ticked eight, the odd- even vehicular restriction policy of the Delhi government came into effect today with thousands of volunteers taking to the streets to assist traffic police in enforcing the pilot plan that will stay in force in the national capital till January 15.

As per the scheme, cars bearing odd-numbered registration plates shall ply on city roads today while those with even number plates, if taken out, will attract a penalty of Rs 2,000 under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Thousands of civil defence volunteers, traffic police personnel, enforcement teams of Delhi government's transport department and authorised sub-divisional magistrates have been deployed to implement the scheme which kicked in at 8 AM and will be in force till 8 PM.

Delhi government, with the help of traffic police, had yesterday conducted a rehearsal ahead of the roll out of the scheme and hundreds of civil defence volunteers were seen assisting police teams in several parts of the city.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has repeatedly stressed on the need for the scheme to be successful in view of the capital's alarming pollution levels, had warned volunteers against "arguing or misbehaving" with people while top cop BS Bassi has assured full cooperation in implementing the vehicular restrictions.

PTI