The scheme will permit cars with odd and even number plates to travel on alternate days during this period.
Monday, November 06, 2023
India's capital, New Delhi, has announced a week-long restriction on the use of private vehicles in an effort to tackle monstrous smog.
The city of 30 million people struggles with annual winter smog, largely attributed to the burning of agricultural stubble in neighboring states. Delhi consistently ranks among the world's most polluted cities, leading to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually.
Government efforts to combat the air quality problem have failed. A 2017 US study found that air pollution in India leads to a million premature deaths annually.
Gopal Rai, Delhi's environment minister, announced the road allocation scheme, which will run for a week starting the day after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights known for firecracker celebrations. The scheme will allow cars with odd and even number plates to run every other day during this period.
Rai explained that the decision was taken in anticipation of rising pollution levels after Diwali. The government plans to reassess the situation after November 20.
Air quality measurements have shown high levels of dangerous PM2.5 particles, which are small enough to enter the bloodstream. On Monday, PM2.5 levels reached 184 micrograms per cubic meter, 12 times more than the daily maximum recommended by the World Health Organization.
Despite these conditions, a World Cup cricket match was played in the city in the afternoon.
This traffic restriction scheme was previously implemented in Delhi in 2016, 2017 and 2019. While vehicle emissions are a significant contributor to the city's air pollution, a 2018 study by Indian government scientists found that the odd-even rule has not effectively reduced emissions and may even they increased them due to the disruption of regular operations.
In addition to vehicle restrictions, the Delhi government has also closed schools until November 11 and banned construction activities to combat the worsening pollution crisis.
