"This exercise is to check rising pollution levels and should apply to everyone. The women's safety argument doesn't stand as lakhs also travel by public transport. What about their safety?" asked ArunaKotru, manager with an MNC.

Environmentalists said that full participation is needed for the plan to succeed as exemptions will only lead to leakages. "This is not a gender is sue. All women must participate in the drive. Women who travel by public transport are equally vulnerable. We need to provide equal security to both," said Anumita Roy chowdhury, executive director research and advocacy and he ad of air pollution and clean transportation programme Centre for Science and Environment.

Women drivers, however disagree. "I'm able to work till late hours only because I drive The number of women drivers is miniscule, so this exemption will not make much of a difference on the drive. But if wo men weren't exempted, then my work would have suffered a lot," said RichaVerma, a resi dent of Noida working in Del hi.

With a list of 25 exemptions Delhiites say the plan will not be a success as people will find a way out to violate the rules. "It's a bad idea to give so many exemptions as people will violate the rules," said Gaurav Narula, a student. In contrast, Ankur, a media professional, said, " At least the small percentage of women who drive can travel safely between work and home."

Some have also questioned the exemption clauses. Women accompanied by male passenger will not be exempted. Similarly, a car with five people (or packed to capacity) will not be exempted if there is a male passenger. "The government wants people to car pool, but the exemption clauses are such it cannot be possible. If a car is packed to capacity, then it should be exempted," said Jatin Sharma, who works in Noida.