Violators on Day 1 of the odd-even plan’s second phase faced a police and transport department crackdown on Friday but the scheme’s impact on air pollution was unclear and the government will face its real test when schools and offices reopen after the weekend.
Violators on Day 1 of the odd-even plan’s second phase faced a police and transport department crackdown on Friday but the scheme’s impact on air pollution was unclear and the government will face its real test when schools and offices reopen after the weekend.
The Delhi transport department fined 1,311 people, signalling the administration planned to get tough with violators. Friday began with air pollution far exceeding permissible limits but those levels dipped as the day progressed due to increasing wind speeds.
Experts said the administration had a smooth ride as Friday was a holiday due to Ram Navami with schools and offices closed. The long weekend also meant many Delhiites were out of town.
Monday is set to be a tougher with auto and taxi unions calling a strike against app-based cab services such as Ola and Uber. In the absence of private cars, many Delhiites rely on the city’s 82,000 autos and 15,000 “kaali peeli” taxis and the strike could hit the already burdened Metro and bus networks.
“Last time also, the same thing was said but the people of Delhi are with us. We can see they are following the restriction. Buses are running, the Metro has extra trips,” Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai said.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal launched the odd-even scheme for 15 days from January 1 to improve the city’s air quality — considered the worst in the world — and free up its notoriously choked roads
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