The second phase of the odd-even vehicle rationing scheme came in force Friday morning with Delhi chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal’s and transport minister, Gopal Rai’s Twitter appeal asking citizens to support the initiative.

Tweets:

Odd even starts today. Lets all join hands and resolve to make it a success.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 15, 2016

दिल्ली में आज से ऑड-इवन शुरू हो गया है, दिल्ली कोप्रदूसण एवं जाम मुक्त बनाने के लिए आप सभी से अपील है कि इस नियम का पालन करे.
जय हिन्द.

— AAP_गोपाल राय(@AapKaGopalRai) April 15, 2016

The odd-even scheme which was tested during the month of January this year earned both appreciation as well as criticism. The pilot scheme started from January 1 (Friday) and the first three days being the New Year weekend, along with a Sunday (the day which is exempted from this rule), Delhi did not face much of the dilemma. Hence, it was a smooth start for AAP’s pilot odd-even rule. All offices and colleges reopened the following Monday and people resumed their daily routines after a fun weekend, all eyes were fixed on the day as the “real test” for the odd-even plan.

During that period, schools were closed and buses from schools as well as other states were hired to increase public transportation and commuter mobility on the roads. This was a major reason for the success of the scheme. But the second phase of odd-even which falls in April can pose as a challenge as all schools are open this time around and no school buses can be used for public transport.

This time too, April 1 falls on a Friday which happens to be a public holiday on the occasion of Ram Navami followed by the weekend in which Sunday is exempt from the rule.

This will clearly be understood a significant reason behind reduced volume of vehicular traffic in addition to odd-even restrictions. This again has resulted in a smooth start for the phase-II of odd-even rule. The real-test will again fall on Monday when all schools, offices and colleges will re-open.