More than a million private cars were banned from New Delhi's roads on Friday, as authorities began trialling drastic new measures to cut smog in the world's most polluted capital.
From January 1 only cars with odd-numbered licence plates will be allowed on the roads on odd-numbered dates and those with even-numbered plates on the other days, except on Sundays when the rule does not apply.
The restrictions will run until January 15 on a trial basis as part of a wider drive aimed at reducing pollution levels that also includes shutting some coal-fired power plants and vacuuming roads to reduce dust.
Early Friday as Delhi residents took the roads, volunteers and traffic police were seen fanning out across the central part of the city.
On one of the city’s main arterial roads, most cars trickling in bore odd-numbered license plates while scores of cyclists wore fluorescent gear, their faces covered.
"Traffic definitely looks thinner today than most days. But I don't know if that's because of the odd-even rule or because people partied too much last night," 58-year-old Mohammad Shahid, a civil defence volunteer, told AFP while standing at one of Delhi's busiest intersections.
Critics have warned the plan could fail in a city where traffic rules are already routinely flouted, with even the federal environment minister calling the move "crazy".
Many believe Delhi residents will deploy the famed Indian skill of "jugaad" -- creating a cheap alternative solution -- by forging number plates or buying second cars.
But traffic policemen Friday were happy and surprised to find Delhiites obeying the rules.
"I would have expected to catch at least dozens in the first half an hour but surprisingly most people are obeying," Ankit Kumar, a senior traffic policeman, said.
"At least over here which is usually a pretty hectic intersection. This is a good sign. But let’s see what happens on Monday (when more commuters hit the roads)," he added.
One of the first violators of the new rule at the busy stretch was fined 2,000 rupees ($30) -- steep for the average Delhiite -- for driving a car with an even-numbered licence plate.
Police asked him to turn around and go back home.
