In pics: Heavy traffic witnessed on Delhi roads despite odd-even rule

Three days after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s odd-even scheme was implemented in Delhi, it faced its real test on Monday when it witnessed maximum traffic during office hours.

Three days after chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s odd-even scheme was implemented in Delhi, it faced its real test on Monday when it witnessed maximum traffic during office hours.

A volunteer at the Noida entry gate. The vehicular restrictions are effective from 8am to 8pm. (Burhaan Kinu/HT Photo)

“Today is the litmus test for odd-even scheme. And just like our last time attempt to make it a success, we have to co-operate with each other,” Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai tweeted.

The second phase of the odd-even experiment was launched on April 15 to reduce the alarming levels of air pollution in the city..

As most of the city schools re-opened after a four-day break, parents were seen dropping their children off much before 8 am.

Volunteers stood at the entry gate on the Noida-Delhi border on the Day 4 of the phase 2 of the odd-even car-rationing formula.

App-based cab services made the most of odd-even scheme, with many commuters complaining of steep surge pricing.

The Delhi government cracked the whip on violators this time, with over 2,300 challans issued in the first two days as against 479 during the same period in the previous phase of the odd-even scheme.

Heavy traffic at Delhi Gurgaon expressway from Mahipalpur to Ambience Mall.

Under the fortnight-long scheme, private cars with odd registration numbers can ply only on odd dates and the even numbers on even dates, subject to a set of exemptions, which include VIPs, women, school going children, medical emergencies, commercial vehicles and CNG cars.

Unlike the scheme’s pilot phase, in which the focus was more on awareness and voluntary compliance, the government has cracked the whip on violators this time, with over 2,300 challans issued in the first two days.

In the second phase from April 15 to 30, the government added into its exemption list people driving with schoolchildren in uniform.

Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai offers flowers to BJP leader Vijay Goel at the latter’s residence in New Delhi.

Long queue was witnessed at the Barakhamba metro station.

Arvind Kejriwal

In order to ensure the success of the scheme, the government has set a fine of Rs 2,000 for violators.