Delhi Odd-Even phase 2: Kejriwal warns violators; Ola, Uber under lens for hiking fares

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that one should violate the Odd-Even rule, which has received immense public support.

New Delhi: Expressing disappointment over BJP MP Vijay Goel's move to violate the Odd-Even scheme, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that one should not tamper with a move, which has received immense public support.

Kejriwal said the reports state that the people of Delhi are following the initiative very positively.

Responding to a poser about Goel being fined Rs. 3500 for violating the Odd-Even scheme, Kejriwal said "Vijay Goel ji was driving without license. This is a very dangerous thing."

He further congratulated the people of Delhi for the success of Odd-Even formula.

"The people have voluntarily come forward and are participating in the Odd-Even programme," he added.

CM Kejriwal also warned that the government will take “strict action” against Ola and Uber after the cab-hailing companies hiked their rates by at least three times during the odd-even rationing scheme.

Commuters said they had to pay “astronomical rates” for cabs because of surge pricing, a business practice in which companies increase rates when demand for cabs goes up.

The surge pricing varied from three times the usual rate to five times during morning rush hour.

Earlier in the day, Goel violated the Odd-Even scheme as a mark of protest following which he was penalised by the traffic police.

"I don't oppose the Odd-Even scheme rather I oppose the amount of public money being used by the Kejriwal government to advertise it. If they remove those advertisements, I won't protest with regard to this scheme," Goel told ANI.

Goel earlier met Transport Minister Gopal Rai during which the latter urged him to refrain from breaking the rule.