CRI听力:Car Rationing Takes Effect in New Delhi

The new restrictions are the same which have been used in Beijing on a number of occasions.

Over the next 2-weeks, private vehicles will only be allowed on the roads ever other day, depending on the final number on their license plate.

Delhi's Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal says the new program, which began on Friday, but went on a trial run first in December, seems to be well-recieved.

"The experience so far shows that people in Delhi have adopted this measure whole-heartedly, it has become a movement and I am truly overwhelmed by the response that we have received so far. Residents in Delhi are amazing people and they have accomplished an almost impossible task."

However, not everyone is pleased.

Satish Upadhyay, head of the New Delhi branch of the ruling BJP, argues the new plan has been rushed.

"We are not against this, we have to curb pollution, this is everybody's problem. But it would have been better if he had discussed this problem with all stakeholders, all political parties and everybody and then they should have done a micro detailing about the implementation of this odd and even measure."

To keep New Delhi moving, local authorities have increased bus and metro services.

Around 200 teams of police officers, assisted by civil volunteers, are also deployed across the city, handing out fines to those caught breaking the license plate ban.

Offenders are hit with a fine of 2-thousand rupees, or around 30 US dollars.

Despite the potential for fines, many locals in Delhi say the new steps aren't likely to fix the main problems choaking the air in the city.

"The even-odd measure will only add to people's problems instead of benefiting them. Pollution levels cannot be reduced like this since most pollution is caused by construction work and traffic jams."

Still, others in New Delhi are taking a wait-and-see approach.

"The real impact of this measure will only be established after Monday, when all offices re-open and people will be back on the roads. However, I feel this step should work and I agree with it. It's a long time since we found a solution as Delhi is very polluted. It isn't healthy for elderly people to breath, like me. And what will happen to the children?"

On top of the odd-even license plate restrictions, additional traffic management steps are also being taken to prevent people from parking in non-designated areas, as well as spot checks on overloaded vehicles.

A program to fit particulate filters on diesel vehicles is also in effect.

Indian state goverments are also being told to promote the sale of battery-operated vehicles, while at the same time, enforce a ban on burning of agricultural waste and control dust pollution at construction sites.

For CRI, this is Li Jianhua.