GUWAHATI, April 10 - Commuters were seen in a state of confusion on the first day of Assam Police's move to introduce odd-even formula for vehicles during the lockdown period, which was not actually meant for general commuters.
At many places commuters were miffed with the way the new initiative was introduced and alleged that the notification was ambiguous in nature, with no specific list of services that will have to abide by the odd-even formula.
The move, which started with an even day, also saw commuters arguing with police personnel who could not give a convincing reply.
Assam Police, on Thursday, issued a notification stating that barring essential services, other vehicles will be allowed to ply on the road on odd-even basis. Later, it was also added that the restrictions for general commuters would continue to remain in force as it was since the lockdown was announced.
�The restrictions that were imposed on March 25 in view of the lockdown will remain as it is, meaning that the odd-even formula is not for general commuters and the lockdown restrictions will remain as it is for them,� a top Assam Police official said, adding that the new move was aimed at distinguishing the essential services into critical emergency services and non-critical emergency services.
While there would be no restriction for the critical essential services vehicles, like ambulances, disaster management, media and water supply, those falling under non-critical essential services like the vehicles used for food packaging units or even for that matter supplying grocery, vegetables or even relief material carrying vehicles, would have to follow the odd-even formula.
Sources meanwhile confided that the introduction of the odd-even formula was primarily meant to curtail unnecessary or avoidable plying of vehicles which were issued passes by the authorities.
�Too many passes were issued for vehicles which virtually made the lockdown ineffective, and that is why it was imperative to create two categories of essential services,� a source said.
Hundreds of vehicles including two-wheelers were seized by the police in Guwahati today for violating the lockdown guidelines.
