'We don't want your traffic policy': Keep even-odd in math textbooks, say Delhi-ites

by Debobrat Ghose and Naresh Sharma (video) 

If anything, the formula based on odd and even numbers proposed by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to beat pollution has left Delhi-ites confused.

Given the infrastructural bottlenecks, poor public transport system, severe lack of alternative means and the existing mess in traffic system in Delhi, the citizens have given a thumbs-down to this mathematical idea.

What is Delhi government’s Odd-Even formula?

According to the formula, odd- and even-numbered private cars, including two-wheelers, will run on alternative days on Delhi roads.

If Monday is for even numbers, Tuesday will be for odd numbers. The last digit of the number mentioned on the vehicle’s number plate will be the deciding digit. Emergency vehicles like ambulance, fire brigade, police, etc will be spared. It’s based on the Beijing model, where it was introduced in 2008, ahead of the Olympic Games.

What do Delhi-ites have to say?

Vijay Shankar Chaturvedi, a resident of Laxmi Nagar, who owns a car with its last digit an even number, says, “If this formula is implemented from 1 January, 2016, it’ll cause immense problem. Almost 25 lakh people travel on Metro trains and lakhs on DTC buses. Due to the anarchical traffic system in Delhi, people fail to reach offices or required destinations on time. As a result, many professionals like doctors, advocates, journalists or even from emergency services commute by cars. What will they do on the other day, when they won’t be allowed to drive? How many new buses have been introduced by government till now? What about senior citizens and the disabled? The AAP government always said that before taking any decision, it would seek referendum, but in this case it wasn’t done. Taking a decision by sitting inside an AC chamber won’t help. It has to be practical.”

“This number formula won’t work. As my car number is even, should I buy another car with an odd digit? A moneyed person can do it and it’ll put additional burden on Delhi, which is already under tremendous pressure due to constantly increasing number of cars. I use my car as I’ve many appointments in a day that I have to within a deadline. It’s not a practical solution to curb pollution,” opines Yogesh, a Chartered Accountant.

There are nearly 90 lakh registered vehicles in Delhi and 1500 new vehicles are added every day. One can well imagine, what would happen if people under compulsion start buying a second car!

Aparna Arora, a post-graduate student and a resident of Indrapuri, has termed the proposed policy as a “stupid idea”. She adds, “That means on every other day, I’ve to chase the public transport! Moreover, the buses are not safe. The government should first put public transport system in order.”

KL Seth, a businessman, working out of Connaught Place for last 45 years, likes to term the number formula as a symbol of “intolerance and absolutely impractical”, like the opposition in the government has termed it a “knee-jerk reaction”. He says, “Delhi Police commissioner BS Bassi has said that the police weren’t consulted before announcing the measure. This is impractical.”

According to records, on a usual day, about 20 lakh vehicles ply on Delhi roads, whereas five lakh more vehicles pass through the city. The city’s vehicular population, which causes choking jams on weekdays, includes more than 20 lakh cars. The shortage of policemen has been cited as a hindrance in implementing the proposal. Delhi has 5,936 traffic cops, out of which 30% are deployed on VIP duties.

Former Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami has termed the odd-even formula as “cheap publicity”.

“There should be a comprehensive one-window policy for transportation. Instead of the entire police department, as demanded by Arvind Kejriwal, the traffic police should be under Delhi government. Lack of road sense, indiscipline, poor parking facility, flouting regulations openly, short-staffed traffic police force, continuing with old buses, etc have been causing traffic congestion and pollution. During the Commonwealth Games, besides effective traffic management, we had introduced a clear lane on Delhi roads for fast and uninterrupted movement of vehicles ferrying games personnel and players. People in Delhi are already under a lot of stress due to several factors. By implementing its number formula, the Delhi government would add more to it,” Goswami told Firstpost.

However, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reportedly said on Saturday that he won’t do anything that creates problem for the citizens. “After the court’s gas chamber comment, there was panic and it was felt that something drastic has to be done. So, the number formula was proposed. First it’ll be done on a trial basis for a fortnight,” he added.

Meenakshi, a housewife, who drives her car herself, is bit optimistic about the proposal. “This proposal can help in reducing traffic burden to a certain extent, if we plan our trips and go for car-pooling and sharing. But, this formula can’t be implemented with 100% success. What’ll happen in an emergency or when you have to meet a strict deadline?” she questions. Easy access to public transport and safety, especially in buses and for the women is another grey area. People who have been using cars are not ready to trade with public transport. The AAP government promised that it would streamline the bus system, by having the last mile connectivity, which is yet to take place. Women still find buses unsafe — especially if one has to commute to the outskirts of Delhi — due to pick-pocketing and snatching, which are common.

Amar Ahuja, a defence personnel remarks, “Delhi doesn’t have the required infrastructure and public transport system to back such a decision of the Delhi government. Buses and Metro trains are badly cramped. I can take a bus, but for my wife and children, I don’t find it safe.”

West Delhi-based Jia Badlani, a retail store owner finds it practically impossible to drop her three-year old daughter to school and then visit her showroom by using a bus or metro. “First there is no metro connectivity to the place where I live and to get a bus, I have to walk a long distance from my house. Safety is another grey area. That’s why I use my car, not for luxury but as an essential mode of transport.”