Odd-even: Delhi kids’ dilemma to reach schools in Gurgaon on time

With most schools in Gurgaon reopening on Monday after the winter break, students coming from Delhi are worried about their commute due to the odd-even scheme in the capital.

With most of the schools in the city reopening on Monday after the winter break, children coming from Delhi are worried about their commute due to the odd-even scheme in force in the national capital.

Children from Delhi studying in Gurgaon schools generally got to school in their own cars and not many schools offer inter-city bus service. (HT File Photo)

The Delhi government has implemented the road rationing scheme from January 1 to 15 on a trial basis to check pollution.

Under the formula, even numbered private cars will be allowed on the roads on even dates and odd numbered cars on odd dates. The restrictions will be in place from 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday.

For the successful implementation of the scheme, winter break of Delhi schools has been extended and they will now reopen after January 15. However, schools in Gurgaon have not extended their holidays.

Around 25% of students studying in both IB as well as CBSE schools in Gurgaon come from Delhi. These children generally come in their own cars and not many schools offer inter-city bus service. In fact, of the around 200 private educational institutes in the city, less than 20 provide school buses to Delhi.

School principals said not many students come from Delhi and most of the institutes do not provide buses to Delhi.

“There is only a small percentage of students who come from Delhi. We do not provide buses to them and they commute in their own vehicles,” said Peeya Sharma, principal of Ryan International School, Sector 40.

“The school does not plan to extend the winter break, but we are encouraging students to carpool to be in sync with the road rationing policy in force in the capital city,” Sharma said.

Sudha Goyal, principal of Scottish High International School, said they cannot extend the winter vacation as examinations are already scheduled.

“The school has already planned examinations for higher classes and the date sheets cannot be changed. Until now, we have not received any query from any parent regarding the transportation of children. But if any query comes, we will ask them to carpool or use safe public transport,” Goyal said.

Children, meanwhile, said they are planning to carpool with the school students living in the neighbourhood.

“I have asked some of my friends living in the neighbourhood to carpool to school till January 15. We have only one car at home, which cannot be used to commute daily as the road rationing policy has been implemented in the national capital,” said Karan Singh, a student.

Some students are also forming groups to travel in public transport. However, they are worried about the condition of public transport vehicles.

“Six of us from different schools have decided to take the bus or the metro to return home after school. But our parents are worried about our safety,” said Priya Malik, a student.