According to records, on a usual day, about 20 lakh vehicles ply on Delhi roads, whereas five

lakh more vehicles pass through the city. The city’s vehicular population, which causes
choking jams on weekdays, includes more than 20 lakh cars. The shortage of policemen has
been cited as a hindrance in implementing the proposal. Delhi has 5,936 traffic cops, out of
which 30% are deployed on VIP duties.

Former Delhi Transport Minister Ramakant Goswami has termed the odd-even formula as
“cheap publicity”.

“There should be a comprehensive one-window policy for transportation. Instead of the entire
police department, as demanded by Arvind Kejriwal, the traffic police should be under Delhi
government. Lack of road sense, indiscipline, poor parking facility, flouting regulations
openly, short-staffed traffic police force, continuing with old buses, etc have been causing
traffic congestion and pollution. During the Commonwealth Games, besides effective traffic
management, we had introduced a clear lane on Delhi roads for fast and uninterrupted
movement of vehicles ferrying games personnel and players. People in Delhi are already
under a lot of stress due to several factors. By implementing its number formula, the Delhi
government would add more to it,” Goswami told Firstpost.

However, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal reportedly said on Saturday that he won’t do
anything that creates problem for the citizens. “After the court's gas chamber comment, there
was panic and it was felt that something drastic has to be done. So, the number formula was
proposed. First it’ll be done on a trial basis for a fortnight,” he added.

Meenakshi, a housewife, who drives her car herself, is bit optimistic about the proposal.
“This proposal can help in reducing traffic burden to a certain extent, if we plan our trips and
go for car-pooling and sharing. But, this formula can’t be implemented with 100% success.
What’ll happen in an emergency or when you have to meet a strict deadline?” she questions.
Easy access to public transport and safety, especially in buses and for the women is another
grey area. People who have been using cars are not ready to trade with public transport. The
AAP government promised that it would streamline the bus system, by having the last mile
connectivity, which is yet to take place. Women still find buses unsafe — especially if one
has to commute to the outskirts of Delhi — due to pick-pocketing and snatching, which are
common.

Amar Ahuja, a defence personnel remarks, “Delhi doesn’t have the required infrastructure
and public transport system to back such a decision of the Delhi government. Buses and
Metro trains are badly cramped. I can take a bus, but for my wife and children, I don’t find it
safe.”

West Delhi-based Jia Badlani, a retail store owner finds it practically impossible to drop her
three-year old daughter to school and then visit her showroom by using a bus or metro. “First
there is no metro connectivity to the place where I live and to get a bus, I have to walk a long
distance from my house. Safety is another grey area. That’s why I use my car, not for luxury
but as an essential mode of transport.”