Heavy vehicles are banned from entering the city during the day. Subsequently, the plan was implemented on a permanent basis in October 2008 with some changes.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. 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.Road space rationing is not new around the world. 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. Some reports even showed that hourly air pollution records showed no evidence that the programme had improved the air quality. 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 China gasoline mist duster implementation. Here is a look at the other cities this was implemented and whether or not it was a success:BeijingAir pollution has reached hazardous levels in the Chinese capital and Delhi plans to base its own implementation on the Beijing model. The plan, which is not new around the world, has been in execution in cities like Beijing, Mexico, Paris etc.Some other cities that have implemented some form of road space rationing include Sao Paulo , La Paz in 2003, San Jose in 2005, Honduras in 2008, Quito, Ecuador, in 2010, all of whom have not seen much success.

In fact, pollution levels rose by almost 13 per cent. A fine of 22 euros was fixed as penalty. Not only did it help in decongesting the city traffic with almost 1. It was a failure, forcing the authorities to rethink the proposal. Now, only about a fifth of private vehicles are asked to remain off the roads. 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. 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.. A penalty of 200 yuan was imposed for breaking the rule. BogotaThe Colombian capital is another city that implemented what was popularised as Pico y Placa as per which cars were banned during peak hours for two days a week.3 million cars not allowed to be used, according to reports, it saw a 40 per cent decline in daily emissions. They Chinese also banned 300,000 of their oldest, most polluting automobiles from entering the city.30 am until midnight.

Mexico CityKnown 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. It has been executed in Beijing, Mexico and Paris. Most recently, Beijing issued its first pollution red alert as thick smog enveloped the city for the second time in December. It was followed by the observance of a car free day in September this year.ParisAfter 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. 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. 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. 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