Around 7,500 volunteers will be spread across 200 traffic signals in Delhi from January 1.
A flower and a polite message - that's what Arvind Kejriwal's volunteers will give to violators of the odd-even vehicle scheme on Delhi roads.
Days after Delhi Police Chief BS Bassi's warnings on vigilantism, the Delhi Chief Minister has told volunteers to follow the "Gandhigiri" route. Only the traffic police, the enforcement wing of the transport department and SDMs will be permitted to fine violaters.
The 7,500 volunteers - drawn from the National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme and even civil defence - got their orders from Mr Kejriwal this afternoon.
Addressing the volunteers at Delhi's Chhatrasal Stadium, Mr Kejriwal said, "Whoever is violating the rule -- go up to the person, speak to him politely and give him a flower. Tell him he isn't following the law. Gandhigiri has a lot of power. I'm sure you can make a difference."
"We cannot challan anybody but we will tell them politely that they should follow the law and give them a flower and ask them to go home," said a civil defence volunteer.
Asked if placards and flowers will be enough to change mindsets, one of the volunteers, Sheila Devi, replied, "Gandhiji got independence with non-violence. Hopefully, we will get people to change to help reduce pollution in the city."
The volunteers will be stationed at nearly 200 traffic signals starting January 1 -- 8am to 8pm -- holding placards encouraging people to follow the odd-even car rule. Civil defence volunteers will focus only on increasing awareness.
The Chief Minister has said he will lead by example and share cars with his neighbours -- Delhi ministers Satender Jain, Kapil Mishra and Gopal Rai -- who stay close to his residence.
The Delhi government will conduct a mock drill for a couple of hours tomorrow to iron out any practical difficulties that may come up while enforcing the decision from the New Year.