First day of the New Year seems to have broken new ground between Aam Aadmi Party and Delhi Police by at least removing some traces of discord that had emerged between the two soon after the state government announced its decision to allow odd even rule on alternate days to counter air-pollution. Till 5pm on Friday, a total of 81 persons were fined for violating the odd even formula, but Delhi Police maintained that with most offices close due to it being a holiday the real test would be on Monday, January 4. The number of violators did increase later to 138, with people coming out of their homes even before the 8 pm deadline to celebrate the New Year.
Meanwhile, the traffic department caught 65 people for violating.
While AAP declared the day to be successful in terms of enforcement of odd even formula in the National Capital, senior police officers also did not shy away from complimenting Delhi citizenry for their compliance.
Even more, the real change was to be seen among junior level traffic cops who, even though said that the day was marred with some confusion, believe that the formula might actually work very well for them.
Traffic constables, who spoke to dna, even went ahead saying that Friday being the first day of odd even formula, some leniency might have been shown to certain commuters, for instance the elderly, but they were looking forward to enforce the formula in its entirety.
"Initially I had inhibitions like whether or not people will comply with the new order or should we fine mass people especially on the first day of the year, but eventually law has to take precedence. Fortunately, people complied and this might actually work for us. We know today (Friday) was a holiday but the traffic was still less as compared to previous years," said a traffic police head constable posted in south Delhi's Saket area.
"Dhaula Kuan has the worst traffic snarls and after this scheme there has been a remarkable improvement, but it is tough enforcing this law as we can't stop errant drivers during peak hours there is no facility available to park these cars in a moving traffic," said another official posted in the area.
The errant drivers, the official mentioned, are quite a lot in the city. On New Years eve, 6486 motorists were challaned out of which 664 drunken. 335 motorists were also caught overs peeding. 395 vehicles were impounded.
Dr Muktesh Chander special commissioner traffic police, while speaking to dna said, "The people of Delhi showed exemplary discipline today. Of course there were instances of violations but the numbers were not as many as we were expecting. But Monday will still be the day we need to watch out for.”
While the senior police officer expressed pleasure over day's proceedings, there were instances of traffic snarls in certain areas of the Capital especially during the time when traffic police checked vehicle's number plates to regulate them. The situation however worsened by evening between 5pm to 8pm with 138 violations out of which maximum were reported from market and shopping places. A Rs2,000 fine was slapped on each of the violators. There were reports that not all cars with even numbers were fined by traffic. Senior officials however maintained that vehicles that violated the rule were fined whereever it was possible.
"Only head constable and above ran officials have the authority to fine. Rest of the officials were only regulating traffic," said a senior police officer.
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