Odd-even formula: Bassi advises volunteers not to act on own

Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Monday reiterated his advice to volunteers "not to act their own" during the odd-even vehicle movement restriction plan to be implemented in the city from January 1.

"DP (Delhi Police) to assist odd-even to protect environment. Volunteers not to act on their own. Even stopping or asking someone to return is an IPC crime," Bassi said in a tweet.

The odd-even scheme, mooted by the city government, will be implemented on a trial basis between January 1 and 15.

Bassi also cautioned the volunteers against any form of vigilantism and said to contact Delhi Police if they want to facilitate the force during the implementation of odd-even formula.

"If the volunteers want to provide their service, they should come to us (the Delhi Police). Once volunteers report to police, they shall be briefed and deployed as per an action plan," he told media persons.

Bassi specified that no undue harassment of road users is the objective of the scheme so volunteers have no right to perform their own.

"Police can enforce the plan, not volunteers," he stressed.

The odd-even plan for four-wheeled vehicles, unveiled by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is aimed at reducing pollution in Delhi.

Under the plan, four-wheelers with odd registration numbers would ply on odd dates and those with even numbers would run on even dates.

There will be no curbs on Sundays. The scheme will be effective from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some category of vehicles have been exempted from the plan.