By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Sikkim government has formally introduced an odd-even vehicle movement scheme across the state in an effort to cut fuel consumption amid concerns over the ongoing West Asia crisis. Officials said the new legislation came into effect on Monday, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s appeal to residents to utilize fuel more responsibly and prevent excessive expenditure during the present global circumstances.
According to a statement published by the state transportation department, the odd-even limitation policy began on May 18 and will regulate the movement of private automobiles depending on their registration numbers. The bill was introduced as part of a larger attempt to save petroleum resources while ensuring that transportation services run smoothly across the state.
In order to reduce inconvenience for daily commuters, the government has also improved public transportation facilities. Officials indicated that additional transportation arrangements have been made on key roads, notably the Gangtok-Ranipool sector, where commuter traffic is particularly heavy.
Authorities also verified that all public transportation services would operate normally on weekends, including Saturdays and Sundays, to ensure that passengers could move around without interruption. Furthermore, Sikkim Nationalised Transport buses would continue to operate normally in all six districts.
The transport department highlighted that taxis and maxi cabs will be exempted from the limitations and can continue to operate for both local and inter-district travel along the routes specified in their permits.
According to official estimates, Sikkim now has 15,548 registered taxis and 6,474 maxi cabs that provide transportation throughout the state.
The government stated that the temporary measure is aimed not only at conserving fuel but also at ensuring the smooth functioning of public transportation during the enforcement period. Officials stressed that public cooperation would play a vital role in ensuring the success of the initiative and reducing disruptions to everyday life.