New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A total of 437 violators were fined in the first five hours of Saturday, the second day of the odd-even traffic scheme's second phase, with police saying the numbers are likely to go up by the evening.
Hundreds of thousands of odd-numbered vehicles went off the roads in the capital on Saturday, as people in Delhi embraced the novel odd-even vehicle restriction policy aimed at curbing alarming levels of pollution.
Of the violators, 395 were issued cash challans and 42 court challans.
Police said the maximum number of 136 challans were issued in the southern range of the city, followed by western range with 89 challans, central with 64, eastern with 59, outer with 54 and northern range with 35 challans.
"A total of 437 people have been challaned across the city till 1 p.m. for violating odd-even traffic scheme," said a police officer.
On day one of the scheme, over 1,300 violators were fined -- 884 by the traffic police and 427 by the Delhi Transport Department.
Those not abiding by the rule are to be fined Rs.2,000.
Though it was a Saturday when many offices are closed, some motorists said the traffic was less compared to what it is on other Saturdays.
"I am really happy with the odd-even scheme. I reached Connaught Place from INA within 30 minutes in the morning. However, it takes me over one-and-a-half hours to travel the same stretch on other days," said Pavitra, an executive.
Delhi has over 26 lakh registered cars as of March 31, 2015. On Friday, the even numbered private cars went off the roads in compliance with the traffic restrictions for four-wheelers.
The odd-even vehicle movement plan for four-wheelers will continue till April 30 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. except on Sundays. The scheme allows cars with odd-numbered registration plates to run on odd dates and even-numbered ones on even dates.
The scheme is not applicable to vehicles being operated through compressed natural gas (CNG), two-wheelers, women motorists and several categories of VIPs.
Around 4,000 civil defence volunteers, mostly young people, were stationed at major crossings. Sporting green umbrellas and holding placards calling for saving the environment; the volunteers held roses in their hands to present to violators.
Around 2,000 traffic police personnel and 400 ex-servicemen were also deployed to enforce the scheme that is aimed at tackling rising pollution in the city.
