Unlike the first time when a number of them opposed being exempted from the Delhi government’s odd-even scheme, women in the city seem to have come to terms with the experiment.
When Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the second phase of the scheme with the same set of exemptions on Thursday, a few women came forward to announce that they will follow the plan, while others called for upgrading of public transport.
Scores of women leaders across fields believe the number of women who drive in the Capital is actually far too less to tackle the core problem of pollution.
“Most women in Delhi use the metro or DTC buses. Neither did the experiment help in reducing pollution, nor is the public transport network being overhauled by the Aam Aadmi Party government. These are all populist measures,” said women’s rights activist Ranjana Kumari.
Unlike last time, Twitter was not abuzz with women expressing their outrage over exemption from the scheme.
“We should keep the odd-even exemption for women. Compelling safety reasons in a city that hasn’t changed approach to women @ArvindKejriwal,” read one Tweet.
Swati Dixit, who works at a coaching centre in Rajendra Place, said she felt “less inclined” to follow the scheme this time.
“I followed the rule to the letter in January, but my experience with buses was not very good and reports suggest that the key issue of pollution was not addressed at all. So I might just follow it for a few days as per my convenience,” she said.
According to activist Kavita Krishnan, the government needs to “urgently” focus on upgrading Delhi’s bus network.
“The Capital is severely lacking in bus stops. Even if they procure additional buses, how many people will have access to them? Data suggest that the city needs at least a thousand more bus stops,” she said.
Exemption to women drivers is not a surprise; rather, it is an admission of how unsafe the city continues to be despite the horrific December 16, 2012, incident.
However, a number of women still plan to adhere to the 15-day formula, which begins from April 15.
“I am totally against the idea of disallowing women from participating in the process. Very few women drive anyway and most of them are office-goers. So why not treat them as equals?” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment.
Tanya Sokhi, a Laxmi Nagar resident who works in Connaught Place, said she too will follow the experiment.
“I have a car, but I will use the metro during the scheme. I feel the scheme helped in decongesting the city roads,” she said.
Few women said they will follow the plan; others called for upgrading of public transport
