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The air quality of Delhi and NCR worsened further with all active monitoring stations of SAFAR now recording 'very poor' air quality. As the debate of the merits of odd-even scheme still continues, Delhi can certainly look into Beijing's traffic norms. Depending upon the highest haze level, Beijing automatically starts with odd-even scheme. 'Red haze alert' – means Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 450. Beijing, after the 2008 Olympics, implemented this unique policy to restrict traffic. Depending upon the last number on a car’s registration plate, on every weekday, two groups of vehicles are not allowed to ply on Beijing’s roads. Let us take a look at the Chinese capital's unique policy:
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It is like – On Monday – 1 and 6; On Tuesday – 2 and 7; on Wednesday – 3 and 8; on Thursday – 4 and 9; on Friday – 5 and 0. Cars are not allowed to drive within Beijing’s Fifth Ring Road between 7 am and 8 pm. (Reuters Photo)
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This unique odd-even policy took effect from October 11, 2008, after the Olympics. (Reuters Photo)
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In case one violates traffic norms, the person is fined 200RMB (about Rs 2,000) and three points are added to the driving licence. If anyone accumulates 12 points over one year, the licence is suspended. (AP Photo)
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The permanent scheme was initially difficult to adjust for the citizens of Beijing but gradually people started using public transport as it affected one week day. (Reuters Photo)
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Also, if a car is registered outside Beijing, it still needs to follow the permanent scheme. (Reuters Photo)
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People who have their cars registered outside Beijing will not only have to follow the permanent scheme, but also are not allowed to drive in the city for longer than seven days. (AP Photo)
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After one week the owner of the car needs to drive out of Beijing and get another permit. (AP Photo)
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Apart from red haze alert – there is orange, yellow and blue. Orange is the second highest after red and it means Air Quality Index (AQI) level exceeds 200 for three consecutive days. This includes ban on trucks and construction. It was last issued on Novemeber 4 and 8, 2017. (AP Photo)
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Yellow alert is flashed when AQI exceeds 300 and it remains so for at least 24 hours. During an yellow alert, contruction sites that don't meet norms of dust control are closed and polluting vehicles are also banned. It was last issued on October 26, 2017. (AP Photo)
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Blue alert is issued when AQI is over 200 and it remains for at least 24 hours. During a blue alert, all outdoor activities like physical education classes in schools are required to stop immediately. It was last issued on November 20, 2017. (Reuters Photo)
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