Odd-even scheme: More traffic personnel, volunteers deployed on day 2

New Delhi: A thousand more traffic police personnel were deployed on second day of the odd-even scheme even as more volunteers came out in the streets encouraging Delhiites to support the Delhi government's ambitious drive to curb air pollution and vehicular congestion in the city.

The traffic flow, which was relatively less in the morning increased noon onwards with volunteers on roads ensuring plying of even cars.

"1000 more officials were deployed today because the traffic police could not operate at its optimum capacity yesterday, as large number of police officials were deployed on the road till 3 am on the intervening night of new year," a senior police official said.

While the school children who took the awareness campaign lead yesterday, were not seen today, more civil defence volunteers were seen on busy stretches holding posters and guiding the public to abide by the rules.

"More civil defence volunteers were deployed than yesterday to educate to make the motorists aware of the road-rationing plan and its modalities," a government official said.

Carpooling and cycling were endorsed by Delhiites on social media as they posed for pictures at public hangouts like India Gate and Connaught Place on the weekend.

The odd-even vehicular restriction policy of the Delhi government came into effect yesterday 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.

As many as 25 categories have received exemption from the restrictions, including emergency service vehicles, taxis and cars being driven by women, which may have only female co- passengers and children up to age of 12. Two wheelers and CNG-run vehicles have also been exempted.

Under the scheme, private cars bearing odd registration plates are allowed to ply on odd dates while those with even numbers shall do so on even dates. Those caught violating the scheme have to pay a penalty of Rs 2,000.

Over 200 people caught for the violation of norms under the scheme on the first day of its implementation in the national capital. The pilot plan will be in force till January 15.