Odd-even formula: Delhi top cop Bassi targets car curbs, says rolled out in a hurry

Reiterating his warning that action will be taken against any volunteers taking law in their hands by forcing motorists to follow the odd-even restrictions to be implemented from January 1, Delhi police commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said on Monday that the “policy is being rolled out in a hurry” and also raised concern on the long list of exemptions.

Four days before the scheme comes into force, the top cop said it would have been easier for his force to implement the scheme had there been “no exemptions” to various categories, including those riding two-wheelers. “The scheme has been rolled out in a hurry and as time has progressed, changes have been made to the original plan. When the original plan was announced, at that point of time nobody thought that there would be so many exemptions,” Mr Bassi said, adding, “There are certain exemptions which are totally ambiguous. For medical emergencies, the scheme doesn’t specify any document to be produced and the exemption would entirely be based on trust. So the exemption may be misused by many.”

“The scheme should have been introduced in the interest of environment protection without any exemptions,” Mr Bassi said.

The Delhi police received a notification regarding the odd-even policy on Monday, following which the commissioner held a meeting with senior traffic officials and initiated an action plan.

Mr Bassi also said that he has sent a list of suggestions to the chief secretary of the Delhi government on the matter. On being asked about a proposed trial-run of the scheme on Wednesday, he said that he is unaware of any such proposal but agreed to cooperate if it turns out to be true. “If they (the AAP government) are going to have any rehearsal, we shall be participating in it... We have the capacity to respond in emergency situations. So even if we are informed in the last moment, we have the capacity to react,” Mr Bassi said.

About Sunday’s tweet warning AAP volunteers against any form of vigilantism, Mr Bassi said that the volunteers could contribute to the implementation of the scheme only after they report to office of the DCP (traffic) of the concerned zone.

He said that there is no confusion as far as transport department officials and traffic officials are concerned but no volunteer has the right to stop anybody on the street unless that person is endangering human safety or property.

“Only when the concerned party volunteers or civic volunteers report, we can educate them and use their efforts in building up capacity. Volunteers can be used in making people aware of the scheme at parking lots or traffic intersections.

“However, the volunteers cannot stop people just anywhere and ask them to go back home,” said Mr Bassi.

Which would result in violation of provisions of the India Penal Code,” said Mr Bassi, adding, “if any private individual is found indulging in any act which constitutes a criminal offence, they would take action.”

The top cop also encouraged the residents of Delhi to cooperate in implementation of the odd-even scheme citing its environmental benefits. He also said that special squad teams have been constituted for the task.

The AAP volunteers will help in “implementing” the Delhi government’s odd-even scheme, but will work within the “framework of law,” the party said on Monday after the Delhi police chief warned against any form of “vigilantism.”

“Yes, our volunteers will be there, but will work within the framework of law. They will be there in every area and help in implementing the scheme,” Ashutosh said.

The AAP, which is often at odds with Mr Bassi, said it did not find anything offensive in the message from the Delhi police chief. Ashutosh also talked about the lack of necessary “strength” of the Delhi police.

“Various committees have recommended to increase the strength of the Delhi police by double as around 30 per cent of the cops are deployed on security duty. The Centre should look into the matter,” the AAP leader added.