New Delhi, Jan. 15: Women drivers were exempt from the odd-even car rationing scheme on grounds of security but with a rider - they could only ferry male passengers under the age of 12.
"I have an even number car and I could not drive with my 80-year-old father on odd days. The alternatives at hand - like hiring a cab, waiting for an auto or walking to the metro - were not safe or cost-effective," said Malika Basu, who runs a consultancy firm. She added that she followed the rule only to avoid the Rs 2,000 fine.
"I would be in favour of any formula that helps us to reduce pollution but not necessarily the odd-even formula at this point of time. The issue is about reducing pollution levels. For that we need specific plans and not initiatives on a trial and error basis," she said.
The Delhi government has not explained the reason for its "boys under 12 only" condition.
"My problem," said Damini Rath who works at a publishing house, "is shifting the goalposts. This scheme was to reduce pollution. Now when that data is hazy, the government has shifted the goalpost to congestion."
Rath, who gave lifts to a male colleague on every alternate day, said carpooling only works for those with fixed work timings.
She drives from Noida to central Delhi, a distance of almost 20km, every day.
Public relations executive Sana Sehgal, who drives 4km to work, said: "I don't know how public transport can be made safer. It is very alien for those who drive or have a chauffeur-driven car to use the Metro or an auto.
"It's scary. I hope the government takes comprehensive measures to reduce pollution which aren't impulsive, like this one."
Municipal employee Shabnam Kundra, who has a CNG car that was exempt from the odd-even scheme with no riders attached, gave lifts to three persons every day on her 10km drive to work.
"The roads were so clear and pollution, while in traffic, was low. For people with fixed work timings, carpooling works well. We just need to adjust to it," she said.
Kundra wants the exemptions for two-wheelers lifted and for the government to take steps to gradually convert all passenger vehicles to CNG.
All commercial vehicles, except long-distance taxis, are mandated to run on CNG in Delhi. Many mobile app-based cabs continue to run on diesel after a court order said no coercive action should be taken against them.
Sehgal will miss the sight of empty roads, with the odd-even scheme off from tomorrow. "Only on Sundays (when all cars were allowed) did we realise that 'Oh, my God there are so many cars on the road'. We almost got used to empty roads," she said.
Resource: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160116/jsp/nation/story_64154.jsp#.Vp40DED47IV
"I have an even number car and I could not drive with my 80-year-old father on odd days. The alternatives at hand - like hiring a cab, waiting for an auto or walking to the metro - were not safe or cost-effective," said Malika Basu, who runs a consultancy firm. She added that she followed the rule only to avoid the Rs 2,000 fine.
"I would be in favour of any formula that helps us to reduce pollution but not necessarily the odd-even formula at this point of time. The issue is about reducing pollution levels. For that we need specific plans and not initiatives on a trial and error basis," she said.
The Delhi government has not explained the reason for its "boys under 12 only" condition.
"My problem," said Damini Rath who works at a publishing house, "is shifting the goalposts. This scheme was to reduce pollution. Now when that data is hazy, the government has shifted the goalpost to congestion."
Rath, who gave lifts to a male colleague on every alternate day, said carpooling only works for those with fixed work timings.
She drives from Noida to central Delhi, a distance of almost 20km, every day.
Public relations executive Sana Sehgal, who drives 4km to work, said: "I don't know how public transport can be made safer. It is very alien for those who drive or have a chauffeur-driven car to use the Metro or an auto.
"It's scary. I hope the government takes comprehensive measures to reduce pollution which aren't impulsive, like this one."
Municipal employee Shabnam Kundra, who has a CNG car that was exempt from the odd-even scheme with no riders attached, gave lifts to three persons every day on her 10km drive to work.
"The roads were so clear and pollution, while in traffic, was low. For people with fixed work timings, carpooling works well. We just need to adjust to it," she said.
Kundra wants the exemptions for two-wheelers lifted and for the government to take steps to gradually convert all passenger vehicles to CNG.
All commercial vehicles, except long-distance taxis, are mandated to run on CNG in Delhi. Many mobile app-based cabs continue to run on diesel after a court order said no coercive action should be taken against them.
Sehgal will miss the sight of empty roads, with the odd-even scheme off from tomorrow. "Only on Sundays (when all cars were allowed) did we realise that 'Oh, my God there are so many cars on the road'. We almost got used to empty roads," she said.
Resource: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160116/jsp/nation/story_64154.jsp#.Vp40DED47IV
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