Delhi, You Can Do Better. 1300 Cars Fined On Day 1 Of Odd-Even

New Delhi: Delhi has begun its second attempt at following traffic restrictions to reduce air pollution. On the first day of the new "odd-even" scheme, 1300 cars had been penalised Rs 2,000 each for violating road rules which will apply for the next fortnight.

Like in its earlier iteration in January, the odd-even scheme means that private cars are allowed on the streets on alternate days until April 30 based on even or odd license plate numbers.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed today to the city for cooperation.

Odd even starts today. Lets all join hands and resolve to make it a success.

- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2016

There were fewer commuters in Delhi today because of a national holiday for the festival of Ram Navmi. However, many complained of inadequate public transport - particularly not enough buses - in 40-degree heat.
 Emergency vehicles, women drivers and two-wheelers are exempt. So are VIPs like senior judges -though in the January installment, Chief Justice of India TS Thakur won much praise for setting an example by insisting on car-pooling to work with his colleagues.

Patrolling the roads along with 2,000 cops are 5,000 volunteers including retired defence officers.

Mr Kejriwal and his government have claimed that the January attempt led to a significant reduction in pollution levels after more than one-third of the city's 3 million cars went off the roads. But experts differed on whether that claim was correct. The  Chief Minister has said that the results of this month could determine whether odd-even will become a monthly feature.

The World Health Organization said last year that Delhi has the worst air quality in the world in 2014, surpassing Beijing.