Parents of school kids caught in an odd bind

: Parents faced a tough time picking-up and dropping-off their kids at school on Monday due to the odd-even scheme.

While the Delhi government has exempted males from the scheme if they are accompanied by children wearing school uniform, they don’t have immunity while returning from the school alone. This landed many fathers in trouble.

“My daughter studies in Patparganj. I do not trust the school bus, so I pick and drop her on my own. Today I had to go by auto to pick her up as I drive an odd number-car. Finding an auto was also a pain as I live in Ghaziabad and her school is in Delhi. If the situation does not change, I will have to consider leaves for her school till the time the scheme stays,” said Shailesh Tiwari, a resident of Kaushambi, Ghaziabad.

Amit Mishra, a resident of Patparganj, said: “I drop my son to school every morning, but while returning I will have to pay a fine. I am not opposing odd-even, but the government should have kept this in mind while implementing the scheme.”

Another parent, who faced trouble while dropping his daughter at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, tweeted: “Success of #OddEvenBegins. 2 Uber didn’t reach. 3 autos refused. 20 minutes now on way to school, daughter with 104 fever. Tks #OddEven”.

“Bizzare#riskysuggestion to ferry school kids on bikes #OddEvenDobara,” tweeted another parent.

While a few parents opted for two-wheelers, others decided to drop their kids off at school early and return before the 8 a.m. deadline. Some, who had an odd-number car, took the Metro to pick up their children.

In the trial phase of the scheme, from January 1-15, the Delhi government had shut schools during the period and added the school buses to the DTC’s fleet. However this time, the government decided to let the schools remain open and provided one-way exemption to fathers.

The government has told parents to consider carpooling.