Odd-even scheme kicks off, Delhi Police officials on toes

The rolling out of AAP government's ambitious odd-even scheme today kept Delhi Police officials on their toes as thousands of traffic personnel were strategically deployed across the national capital to ensure that the road-rationing restrictions were not violated.
"More than 3,000 traffic police officials were deployed across the city following a well-drafted strategy and they have been specially briefed about the scheme," said a senior traffic police official.
The prosecution figures exceeded 100 in a few hours of the scheme being put into effect, sharp at 8 AM today, the official said.
Thousands of Civil Defense volunteers were seen assisting police teams at several major stretches and intersections in the city, including the ITO junction which witnessed the first prosecution under the first-of-its-kind initiative.

"The offender, who was driving a car with its registration number ending with 2 (even), was prosecuted at the ITO intersection around 8.33 AM, following which he was slapped with the stipulated Rs 2,000 fine," a traffic official said.
Persons stopped by police teams include a BJP lawmaker who was caught travelling in his SUV near India Gate.

Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi today once again appealed to people to cooperate with his force throughout the 15-day period during which the initiative will be in force.
"I appeal to people to cooperate with Delhi Traffic Police for 15 days," said Bassi, assuring that adequate personnel have been deployed for implementation of the scheme throughout the city.

Civil Defense volunteers were seen handing over flowers
and leaflets to offenders, making them aware of the various aspects and significance of the ambitious scheme.
Bassi had earlier clarified that no volunteer shall work independently and no vigilantism will be permitted.
The Delhi police had suggested the AAP government to allow women not having a driving licence or not knowing how to drive to travel with a male driver, but the proposal was shot down, Bassi said.
Women, who are not travelling with a male above 12 years of age, pertain to one of the several exempted categories.
"We thought in the interest of women safety that another exception could be made in favour of women travelling alone with a driver.

"This suggestion has not been accepted by the government. So now, If any woman travels with a (male) driver, in violation of the scheme, such a driver shall be liable for prosecution," Bassi told