Appreciating the odd-even initiative of the AAP government, Delhi police commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi said on Thursday “any step which helps the environment cannot be a bad thing.” The city’s top cop also asserted that he would ens-ure full implementation of the vehicular restrictions.
The police chief said he had proposed to the Delhi government to allow women not having a driving licence, or who do not know how to drive to travel with a male driver, considering the safety aspect, but it was shot down. “Whatever we do, we always do it with full commitment. We never do anything half-heartedly. We never have any hesitation in working with anybody as long as something is required to be done as part of law enforcement,” said Mr Bassi, adding, “But we obviously will not be part of anything which is unconstitutional or illegal.”
Speaking in favour of the odd-even scheme, he said all motorists should comply with the provisions of the odd-even scheme and sho-uld not fake medical emergencies to get exemptions.
“As long as the law, which I am supposed to enforce, has not been declared unconstitutional or ultra vires, I have no option but to enforce it. So, as far as I am concerned, the notification which has been issued by the government is a valid law (for the odd-even scheme). So, as a law enforcement officer, I shall be implementing the same,” the police chief said.
On the police’s proposal to extend exemption to women travelling with drivers, he said: “We thought in the interest of women’s safety that another exception could be made in favour of women travelling alone with a driver.”
The fortnight-long odd-even scheme will kick in from Friday and the Delhi government expects it to bring down air pollution substantially.
“This suggestion has not been accepted by the government. So now, if any woman travels with a driver, in violation of the scheme, such a driver shall be liable for prosecution.”
The fortnight-long odd-even scheme will kick in from Friday and the Delhi government expects it to bring down air pollution substantially. The Delhi government has decided to restrict plying of private cars bearing odd and even registration numbers to alternate days from January 1 to 15 as part of the first phase of the scheme. Private cars having odd registration numbers will be allowed to ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates. Those caught violating the scheme will have to pay a penalty of Rs 2,000.
