Barely days before the national capital enters the 15-day trial period of the odd-even formula, Delhiites are gearing up to make some critical adjustments to their transport routine. It will be life-as-usual for the lucky few who own cars with both odd and even number plates, but the rest are furiously thinking of quick fixes or ‘jugaad’.
The odd-even plan is also likely to act as a wet blanket for all the party peeps, and they are all busy stressing over ways to beat it.
Frantic ‘Jugaad’
Kamal Gupta, owner of an automobile shop in Lajpat Nagar, said he is approached every day by a number of customers who ask for all sorts of solutions – a fake number plate, a reversible plate or a sticker.
Among those who doubt the formula’s success is a 70-year-old dentist from Defence Colony. He has no faith in Delhiites’ ability to follow through with the 15-day trial period. “People will most likely find out quick fixes to beat the odd-even formula,” he said.
But even amid all this chaos, a certain section is cheering – auto-rickshaw and cab drivers. Shaukeen Kumar, an Ola employee, believes the car rationing rule will give him more customers. “Since many won’t be able to drive to their offices and colleges, they will come to us. This will increase the number of our passengers and our income in turn,” he said.
Govt’s Knee-Jerk Reaction, Say Delhiites
The public transport system is not enough to serve the city’s populace. Even on a regular day, it’s hard to get a foothold Delhi Metro, buses etc. Many residents are demanding more buses and metro coaches and say that the government should have improved public transport first and then introduced the odd-even formula.
Single women drivers are exempt from the odd-even rule. But Monica, an interior designer, feels that they shouldn’t have been exempted as this is a form of discrimination against men. “In a matter like pollution, women shouldn’t be made an exception. Keeping them out of the rule means that they do not contribute to pollution reduction.”
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