As the city gears up for the maiden 15-day implementation of the Delhi government’s ambitious odd-even formula to curb the alarming levels of air pollution, the doubts over its success are as strong as its need. The plan, which is not new around the world, has been in execution in cities like Beijing, Mexico, Paris etc. Globally known as “road space rationing”, the move, which is expected to affect as many as three million car users in Delhi, has had mixed results in different cities of the world. Here is a look at the other cities this was implemented and whether or not it was a success:
Beijing: Air pollution has reached hazardous levels in the Chinese capital and Delhi plans to base its own implementation on the Beijing model. The restrictions were first imposed in Beijing in July 2008 as a temporary measure just ahead of the Olympics as per which one-third of private vehicles were taken off the roads by allowing only even and only odd licence plates to drive on alternate days. A penalty of 200 yuan was imposed for breaking the rule. Not only did it help in decongesting the city traffic with almost 1.3 million cars not allowed to be used, according to reports, it saw a 40 per cent decline in daily emissions. Subsequently, the plan was implemented on a permanent basis in October 2008 with some changes. Now, only about a fifth of private vehicles are asked to remain off the roads. Heavy vehicles are banned from entering the city during the day.
They Chinese also banned 300,000 of their oldest, most polluting automobiles from entering the city. Most recently, Beijing issued its first pollution red alert as thick smog enveloped the city for the second time in December. Until the alert was lifted on Thursday, millions of vehicles were forced off the roads, factories and construction sites were shut down and schools and nurseries were asked to close.
Paris: After way back in 1977 for a brief period, road rationing was implemented in the capital of France following heavy smog in March last year for one day. Called as the Circulation Alternée, the rule was imposed on March 17 when cars bearing even number plates were banned from entering the city between 5.30 am until midnight. It was followed by the observance of a car-free day in September this year. A fine of 22 euros was fixed as penalty. As per reports, it was a success in reducing emission levels and the authorities were able to accomplish their pollution control goals in a day.
Mexico City: Known as the Hoy no Circula programme in the South American city, the odd-even rationing policy, which was introduced as early as 1989, was designed to control the city’s vehicular circulation and thus reduce pollutant emissions. Different from what Delhi plans to introduce, in Mexico, the authorities decided to restrict the circulation of diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles as per the day of the week and the last digit on the vehicle’s licence plate and is in effect between 5 am and 10 pm Monday to Friday for all vehicles circulating in the city. Though initially the plan recorded some decrease in emission levels, reports of residents buying cheap diesel cars, switching number plates and other resorts started pouring in within weeks of the implementation. Some reports even showed that hourly air pollution records showed no evidence that the programme had improved the air quality. In fact, pollution levels rose by almost 13 per cent.
Bogota: The Colombian capital is another city that implemented what was popularised as Pico y Placa (peak and plate) as per which cars were banned during peak hours for two days a week. In a shocking move, a fine of 15 per cent cut from monthly wages was decided upon to ensure implementation, resulting in, like Mexico, people buying cheap cars. It was a failure, forcing the authorities to rethink the proposal.
