New Delhi plans to restrict car usage next week in an effort to tackle growing pollution levels as India’s capital’s air quality remains critically hazardous for the third day in a row.
The city consistently ranks among the world’s most polluted urban centers, with the onset of winter exacerbating the issue by trapping pollutants from various sources, including vehicles, industries, construction dust, and crop residue burning.
A thick smog enveloped key landmarks such as the federal secretariat and the president’s palace on Monday, leading to reduced visibility across several areas. In response to public outcry and concerns over the deteriorating air quality, the local government announced the extension of primary school closures until November 10 and the implementation of the “odd-even” vehicle rule from November 13 to 20.
Under this rule, vehicles with odd registration numbers will be permitted on the road on odd dates, while those with even numbers will be allowed on alternate days. While environmental experts have previously noted mixed effectiveness of the rule in addressing pollution levels, its repeated implementation since 2016 aims to alleviate congestion on roads and minimize pollution levels in the city.
