Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai rides a bus with the media to inspect the traffic as odd-even scheme came into operation in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI Photo)
The ministers of the Delhi government used different modes of transport - motorbike, e-rickshaw, bus and car pooling to come to Delhi Secretariat on the first day of 15 days trial of odd-even formula of road-rationing in the national capital.
While complimenting the people of Delhi for "success" of odd-even formula, the ministers also said that future implementation of the scheme will depend on the people and how they respond to it.
Delhi Tourism minister Kapil Mishra was the first to rode to the Secretariat on his motorbike a few minutes before 9 am.
"It took me just 20 minutes to cover the distance from my Yamuna Vihar residence to Secretariat which normally would take 1.5 hours on any day," said the young minister.
"There is different scene on the roads and traffic is less. I did not see any violator on the road. Since people of Delhi are sacrificing, we will also be sacrificing," said Mr Mishra who owes an odd numbered car.
"I could have driven in my odd numbered car today but I have decided to commute to Secretariat for next 14 days on my motorbike," he said adding that he was riding bike after a gap of 5-6 months.
Next to arrive was Deputy CM Manish Sisodia who came in his official odd numbered car.
Mr Sisodia said the people of Delhi were participating in a "virtuous" initiative to reduce pollution adding that he also did not find any even numbered car on the road.
"People of Delhi have adopted it (odd-even) as their own mission and the government is just helping them. This is the ideal situation in this campaign," he said.
Mr Sisodia hoped that with the 15 days trail people will get used to odd-even formula which will help in lowering high pollution level in the city.
The odd-even formula implemented in Delhi is being watched all over the world, if successful it could be implemented in other cities also, Mr Sisodia said adding that after 15 days further steps against pollution will evolve out of the experiment.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who will be car-polling during 15 days of odd-even experiment, arrived at Secretariat at around 10.45 am. He was accompanied by his cabinet colleagues PWD and Health minister Satyender Jain and Transport minister Gopal Rai.
Social Welfare minister of Delhi government Sandeep Kumar took a bus to reach Secretariat while his colleague and Environment and Forest minister Imran Hussain arrived in an e-rickshaw.
Delhi Social Welfare minister Sandeep Kumar termed his bus ride as a "stress buster" as he could interact freely with fellow passengers.
The minister who owns an odd number car said that he often comes to Secretariat in bus so it was in his "habit". He also said that he will commute by bus for the rest of odd-even trial days.
The Environment minister Imran Hussain too said that he will come to Secretariat for the rest of the 14 days riding on e-rickshaw.
"I took the e rickshaw near my office in Ballimaran and I liked the ride very much. I will come to Secretariat by it for the remaining days," he said.
The minister also urged the Central government and governments in states neighbouring Delhi to take steps to help reducing pollution in the national capital.
"I appeal to the Centre and the neighbouring states to check the pollution caused by nearly 4000 brick kilns, construction sites not following NGT orders and crop burning in the vicinity of Delhi," he said.