This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
Published on September 17, 2019, New Delhi's chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal, announced plans to enforce strict restrictions on private cars from November 4-15 to curb pollution.
The move aims to improve air quality, which tends to deteriorate sharply in winter months. Private vehicles will only be allowed to use roads on alternate days during the period, depending on whether their registration plate ends in an odd or even number.
Additionally, the city plans to introduce 1,000 electric buses and promote other electric vehicles. New Delhi is the world's most polluted capital city, plagued by vehicle and industrial emissions, dust from building sites, and smoke from the burning of rubbish and crop residue in nearby fields.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 14 of the 18 most polluted cities on the planet are in northern India, with New Delhi topping the list. The WHO database shows that these cities have high levels of particulate matter under 2.5 micrograms in size, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the blood.
Kejriwal stated, 'Pollution levels have come down in Delhi recently, and we're determined and committed to bring them down further and that's why we've decided to introduce these steps.'
