NEW DELHI: Political slugfest continued on the first Monday of the second phase of odd even curbs coming into being in the national capital. The day started with a mark of protest by BJP MP Vijay Goel who drove his odd numbered car on an even day and he was fined Rs 3,500 by the traffic police.
Goel who had appealed the people of Delhi to join him in the protest, was greeted by Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai showing some Gandhigiri visited Goel’s residence in the morning and offered him a rose with a request not to violate the scheme, but to no avail Goel broke the rule and was fined for it.
“My protest was against the political posturing by AAP which is using odd-even scheme's advertising budget to plaster Kejriwal's photo everywhere. I have been imposed the fine of 2,000 for violating odd-even rules.” Goel said after getting fined. BJP leader further said that he is always up for any endeavor that reduces pollution and congestion in Delhi, Goel was also fined an additional Rs 1,500 for driving without licence and vehicle insurance.
Meanwhile after the warning of Chief Minister to app based cab services plying in Delhi of strict action on surge in charges, Ola and Uber cabs have made a statement stopping hike in fee temporarily. Delhi High Court too pulled up the Delhi government saying it cannot wash their hands off on alleged over charging by app-based private taxi operators like Uber and Ola, as general public was suffering due to it. The court has sought a detailed response from the government.
Followed the High Court’s ire Kejriwal said in a tweet “Strict action, including permit cancellation and impounding vehicle, to be taken against taxis which charge rates more than government prescribed rates”.
“Given the threat of the Delhi government to cancel permits and impound vehicles of our driver partners, we are temporarily suspending surge in Delhi with immediate effect. We hope to work with the government to keep Delhi moving especially during this time when the citizens need us the most” Uber said in a statement. Delhi police issued 256 challans on Monday.
Ola said, "We've temporarily pulled out Peak Pricing in Delhi in support of the government's odd-even initiative" which ends on April 30.
The Delhi government will give "more" advertisements on the odd-even scheme, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said, that the money is being spent because it matters people daily life.
"We are not doing it for ourselves; we are doing it for the people of Delhi. We will advertise it even more and spend all the money required for odd-even scheme because it is a matter of people's life in Delhi."
| Challans issued so far |
Day 1 -1311 Day 2 - 1002 Day 3 - 256 |