The Indian capital, Delhi, has launched a car rationing system as it battles hazardous levels of pollution.

Private cars with even and odd number plates will only be allowed on roads on alternate days from 4 to 15 November, officials said.

The system was introduced in 2016 and 2017 as well, but it's not clear if it actually helps bring down pollution.

Levels of dangerous particles in the air - known as PM2.5 - are far higher than recommended.

The deteriorating air quality has put millions of people at the risk of respiratory illness.

Health officials have asked people to stay indoors and refrain from doing any physical activity. Schools are closed until Tuesday and the shutdown is likely to be extended until Friday as the city continues to choke under a thick blanket of smog.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the car rationing system, known as the "odd-even plan", would take hundreds of thousands of cars off the road.

Violaters will be fined 4,000 rupees (£44; $56), which has doubled from previous years.

Only emergency vehicles, taxis and two-wheelers will be allowed. Women driving alone will also be exempt from the rule.

Hundreds of teams from the police, the transport department and civil volunteers have been deployed to enforce the rule. It is likely to cause extra pressure on the public transport system.

But officials say they are prepared as extra buses and metro trains will be deployed during this period.

But there are questions if the odd-even rule will drastically reduce pollution levels. Similar measures in the past drastically reduced traffic congestion in Delhi but did not have a significant impact on pollution levels.

Experts say emission from vehicles is just one of the several factors that has made the city a "gas chamber".

A major factor behind the high pollution levels at this time of year is farmers in neighbouring states burning crop stubble to clear their fields.

This creates a lethal cocktail of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide - all worsened by fireworks set off during the Hindu festival Diwali a week ago.

Vehicle fumes, construction and industrial emissions have also contributed to the smog.

Source: bbc.com

BDST: 1148 HRS, NOV 04, 2019
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