The Delhi transport department had conducted an online survey in May and June this year inviting motorists to give their suggestions on the issue.

'Nearly 500 motorists have given their opinions and suggestions regarding the scheme and RITES, a consultancy organisation working in the field of transport and infrastructure, has compiled the reports. We are studying the details before they are implemented,' said Srivastava.

According to the transport department, almost 50 to 60 percent of the road space is used by an estimated two million car owners in Delhi, although they meet just 20 percent of the commuting demand.

The scheme also ensures safety of the passengers as a central server will keep track of all shared rides, including vehicle number and owner and the time a particular rider boards the car.

'A web programme and call centre will also be made available to help members find suitable travel matches on a day-to-day basis. A central agency registers and matches members' travel plans and sets up various members with one another through phone, SMS and internet on a dynamic basis with the help of computer software,' Srivastava said.

A Delhi and national capital region resident commuting to work in his car usually drives about 60-100 km per day or 2,000 km a month and can reasonably save at least 50 percent of his driving by the scheme.

'Private cars cause traffic congestion by inefficiently using the limited road space - the cars are typically carrying only one to two commuters against a capacity of five or more. The present scheme, however, treats the available spare capacity in cars as an opportunity to provide a transport solution, whereby three to four motorists, instead of travelling in separate cars, accommodate themselves in one car, especially during peak hours,' Srivastava said.

(Richa Sharma can be contacted at richa.s@ians.in)