: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday showered praise on Delhiites, the Traffic Police and Civil Defence volunteers for making the second phase of the odd-even scheme a success.
At a thanks-giving function at Chhatrasal Stadium on Tuesday, the CM also said that the scheme was a temporary measure.
“While air pollution came down and the scheme had a very evident impact on congestion, the odd-even initiative is a temporary measure and we are aware that the state of public transport in Delhi must be improved,” he said.
Environment Minister Imran Hussain and Transport Minister Gopal Rai joined Mr. Kejriwal in extending gratitude to Delhiites for following the restrictions imposed by the road-rationing scheme despite what they claimed were numerous attempts to derail it.
“We thank the Traffic Police and Civil Defence volunteers for putting their weight behind the policy, being absolutely dedicated and not sparing any violator in a place like Delhi where paying Rs. 2,000 for a traffic violation is not a big deal and conspiracies like the Bhalaswa landfill fire, which was set to sabotage it,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
Setting an example
Claiming that the success of the scheme led to its implementation in one form or another in as many as 14 countries, Mr. Rai credited the implementation of the scheme between April 15 and April 30 with increasing Delhi Metro ridership and bringing the issue of surge pricing by web app-based operators to the fore.
“The entire city was with the government and with CM Arvind Kejriwal despite conspiracies, rumours and a slew of attempts to derail the successful implementation of the scheme,” the Transport Minister said.
“In the meantime, officials across government departments including the Delhi Metro worked very hard to ensure the success of the scheme even as (cab) companies out to make profits were given the stern message that while the government wants businesses to be successful it is also concerned about the air that the city's children are being made to breathe,” Mr. Rai added.
