Odd-Even rule takes off in Delhi : Kejriwal says response overwhelming

From the first day of the new year,  only odd-numbered cars are allowed on the roads as part of a 15-day plan to allow private vehicles on alternate days.

"I am truly overwhelmed by the response. People have achieved the impossible. I am sure Delhi will show the way,"reports quoted Kejriwal as saying.

The Chief Minister said  there were very few even-numbered cars on the road on Friday. Shortly after the rule came into force, an even-numbered car was stopped at the major ITO intersection and the driver was fined.

Kejriwal, who has an odd-numbered car, is carpooling with Transport Minister  Gopal Rai  and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

Tourism minister Kapil Mishra has taken a motorbike to work. Environment Minister Imran Hussain, who has an even-numbered car, says he will use an autorickshaw.

Many offices and residents' associations have arranged car-pools.

The  vehicles with number plates ending with an odd number are being  allowed to ply one day and those ending with an even number the next day.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai had said odd-numbered cars would be allowed on odd dates, like January 1, 3 and 5, and even-numbered cars on even dates.

On Sundays, all private cars will be allowed to ply on roads.

Offenders are being fined Rs. 2,000 by traffic policemen. Medical emergencies, women, VIPs, CNG cars and two-wheelers have been exempted from the rule.

To cope with the extra pressure on the public transport network, the government has hired around 3,000 private buses to ferry people between Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida.