The people of Delhi have a clearer idea about the odd-even car rationing scheme, which will again be implemented from April 15 to 30, with different reservations for the strategy, but a majority of them still have mixed feelings about the scheme.
Although the scheme still exempts VIPs, most are of the view that if it is a strategy to reduce air pollution, it should be applicable to everyone and anyone.
The councillor of Andrews Gunj, Mr Abhishek Dutt, said, “Even if VIPs are exempt, they should go against the exemption and follow the odd-even rule. I don’t know much about pollution, but traveling had become much smoother.”
On being asked whether the strategy should be made permanent, Mr Dutt, who travels in his private car, said, “Any scheme needs atleast three months time and if it actually reduces pollution drastically, it can be implemented permanently.”
Many feel that there are other major causes of pollution apart from vehicles.
Rajya Sabha TV employee Rahul Raj said, “Major pollution is from burning of crops, dust and from construction sites. Few days into the scheme, when it was implemented for the first time, I could actually feel a little drop in pollution, but dust pollution was and is still a major pollutant and a reason for chronic cough.”
Without raising an iota of doubt, Mr Raj supported the exemption of women from the scheme and said “women are still not safe in Delhi and thus need the exemption”.
On the Delhi government’s plan to have an elevated BRT corridor at two levels, one for cars and another for buses, some opined that it will only increase congestion, commotion and will be expensive too.
Journalism teacher at Apeejay institute of Mass Communication, Mr Rajiv Panda, said, “First the BRT gets broken and then again bringing the system back will lead to a political problem. There will be commotion on the roads and chances of accident will increase. In order to make the BRT a success, the whole system would need major planning and the people will have to be made aware of the changes.”
