BJP welcomes odd-even formula, says important step towards reducing pollution

New Delhi: Welcoming the odd-even scheme, the Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) on Friday said it is a great initiative and an important step to curb pollution in the national capital.

"This is a great initiative and important step to curb pollution in the national capital. People have cooperated in successful implementation of the scheme," Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI here.

At the same time, Naqvi criticised the Delhi Government by making the scheme a political issue.

"If the initiative is even than the intention should not be odd. I think somehow the Delhi Government is trying to score political brownie points with this scheme," he said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said he is overwhelmed by the response he has received so far in the implementation of odd-even scheme.

The odd-even scheme for cars to curb vehicular pollution in the national capital came into effect this morning.

For 15 days from today, private vehicles will be allowed only on alternate days in a big step to clean up the world`s most polluted capital. Only odd-numbered cars are allowed on the roads today.

Those found violating the rule will be fined Rs 2,000.

Initially, the scheme will be on trial basis for 15 days.The VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two-wheelers and those carrying the differently-abled are among the 25 categories which are exempted from the scheme. However, the exemption will not apply to Delhi Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues as they have decided to abide by the rule.