More than 1 million private cars were banned from New Delhi’s roads yesterday, as authorities began trialling drastic new measures to cut smog in the world’s most polluted capital.
From yesterday only cars with odd-numbered license plates were allowed on the roads on odd-numbered dates and those with even-numbered plates on the other days to try to reduce pollutant levels which regularly hit 10 times the WHO safety limits.
The restrictions are to run until Jan. 15 on a trial basis as part of a wider drive aimed at reducing pollution levels that also includes shutting some coal-fired power plants and vacuuming roads to reduce dust.
Photo: AFP
As the restrictions came into force yesterday morning, pollutant levels hit a “hazardous” 429 on the US embassy’s air quality index, meaning everyone was at risk of respiratory problems, and children and the elderly should stay indoors.
Hundreds of traffic police and volunteers took to the streets to enforce the scheme, including dozens of children wearing smog masks and holding banners urging drivers to comply. Most drivers appeared to be adhering to the rule.
“Delhi has done it!” tweeted New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who said he was carpooling with colleagues to get to work. “Reports so far v encouraging.”
One early violator caught driving a car with an even-numbered license plate on a busy stretch of road was fined 2,000 rupees (US$30), and ordered to turn around and return home.
“I would have expected to catch at least dozens in the first half an hour, but surprisingly most people are obeying,” said Ankit Kumar, a traffic police officer. “At least over here which is usually a pretty hectic intersection. This is a good sign, but let’s see what happens on Monday [when more commuters hit the roads].”
“This odd-even thing isn’t going to work,” said Kirti Lal, who commutes by bus. “Just wait for Monday, people are going to be back to their old habits. Delhiites are too used to their cars.”
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