Odd-even: Few takers for Delhi's MP special buses

Delhi Transport Corporation’s MP Special Bus Service, launched by the Delhi government to ferry lawmakers to Parliament, found few takers on Monday morning.

In view of the Parliament session, the Delhi government had on Sunday announced six air-conditioned special buses to ferry MPs and appealed to them to follow the odd-even scheme.

The ‘MP special’ buses ply from 9 am to 11 am and 5.30 pm to 8 pm.

In the morning, Bharatiya Janata Party MPs Ranjan Bhatt and Hari Om Singh Rathore availed the ‘MP special bus service’ to reach Parliament.

However, BJP MP Paresh Rawal violated the odd-even rule by reaching the House in his even-numbered car, following which he apologised to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

‘Made a serious blunder by travelling in a odd number car to Parliament ... Sorry to Arvind ji n Delhiite...(sic),’ Rawal tweeted.

The BJP MP later tweeted a challan copy, saying he has paid a fine for violating the odd-even rule.

According to government, a help desk has also been set up in Parliament premises to assist lawmakers in availing the bus service.

A senior government official said that keeping security of MPs in mind, some security personnel will also be deployed in these buses.

Members of Parliament have not been given exemption under the odd-even scheme, the second phase of which started on April 15 and will end on April 30.

The violation of the car-rationing scheme attracts a penalty of Rs 2,000.

The President, the prime minister, the vice president, Union ministers, the chief justice of India, judges of high courts and women, among others, are exempted under it.

Image: BJP MPs Ranjan Bhatt, right, and Hari Om Singh Rathore availed the MP special bus service by Delhi government. Photograph: ANI