Vehicular movement on Kathmandu roads was thin on Sunday as the government implemented odd-even rationing system.

The government took the measure to reduce fuel consumption amid a shortage due to India’s undeclared trade embargo on Nepal.

The general people were seen travelling on overcrowded public vehicles. “I had to wait for half an hour to get a vehicle to reach Anamnagar from New Baneshwar,” Srijana Shrestha, a housewife from Minbhawan, Kathmandu, told the Post. “The situation was the same on my way back. Even the vehicles that were plying were jam-packed.”

It has become difficult to commute on public vehicles as the flow of people has increased, while the number of vehicles has gone down, Pramod Ban, a youngster spotted in Tinkune told the Post. “Half of the public vehicles are off the roads. On top of that, those having private vehicles too cannot use their vehicles on certain days, increased the flow of passengers,” Ban said.

On Sunday—the day when only the vehicles having licence plates ending in even numbers were to ply—those with odd number plates were also seen plying.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Jay Bahadur Chand, chief of Metropolitan Police Traffic Division, said since it was the first day, the traffic police adopted leniency. “We just made the commuters aware about the situation and asked them to cooperate,” Chand said, adding the police would ensure strict implementation of the rule from Monday.

He said there was no restriction for vehicles used for emergency services, government services and vehicles transporting security personals. While most of the petrol pumps in Kathmandu were closed due to the unavailability of petroleum products, a few ones distributing fuel witnessed long vehicle queues.

A meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and Nepal Police on

Sunday had decided to implement the odd-even number plate system.

“A curb in petroleum supplies by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and obstructions in the bordering regions has led us to using petroleum wisely,” the Home Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. “The decision will be applicable to all vehicles apart from vehicles used for emergency purposes, security agencies and vehicles used for market monitoring.”

The ministry has also requested the people not to hoard petroleum.