Memes galore: Even-odd car rule triggers big debate on social media
Social media has reacted strongly to Delhi government’s decision allowing private vehicles to run on the streets on alternate days depending on whether their licence plates end in even or odd numbers.
Social media has reacted strongly to the Delhi government’s decision that even and odd number vehicles will ply on alternate days in the city from January 1.
The new method, more commonly known as road space rationing, is followed in various forms across the world, though experts said implementation could prove to be a major challenge.
Two million vehicles would have to be kept off the roads every day. The AAP government‘s move invited criticism on social media. The hashtag #DelhiOddEvenLogic became a top trend on Twitter with users providing their own take to the decision.
Read: Delhi will restrict cars from Jan 1 to cut pollution, may face challenge
Online jokes ranged from bizarre matrimonial ads to memes poking fun at AAP following the announcement:
Delhi residents also pointed out that the scheme is over-ambitious and that there are several other issues that need to be ironed out and clarified before its launch.
One user @Ankita_Delhi listed a few, such as women’s safety, ease of commuting for the elderly and the differently-abled, cab drivers’ livelihood and applicability of these rules on NCR cars. She tweeted that using public transport to travel to and from Gurgaon, in her case for instance, would take at least 1.5 hours. Concern about safety for women commuters who work odd hours was echoed by other users.
One of the posts doing the rounds on Twitter is a Google document that lists ideas for reducing air pollution. The sheet is being constantly updated with both short-term and long-term solutions. It includes preventing burning of waste, discouraging bursting of crackers, encouraging car-pooling and others.
While most tweets were aimed at poking fun at the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government, some netizens were seen welcoming the initiative as a positive step to reduce the population in the capital: