Delhi has banned more than a million cars from its roads as part of drastic new measures to cut smog in the world’s most polluted capital city. On January 1st pollutants in Delhi hit 429 on the air quality index – more than 10 times the World Health Organization’s safe limit

As of January 1st, only cars with odd-numbered licence plates will be permitted on the roads on odd numbered days – with the evens taking up even-numbered days. An estimated 8.5 million vehicles ply Delhi’s roads each day – just under three million of these are private cars or vans, which are included in the alternate day ban.

The new rules won’t apply on Sunday, to motorcycles, women driving alone or politicians and other VIPs.

But many Delhiites have been quick to complain that the new scheme will cause considerable inconvenience, add to their monthly expenses and lead to an increase in fraud and corruption.

Security issues, especially for women, mean carpooling is less popular in India than in many other countries.

Despite Delhi having a modern six-line Metro system, commuters say the public transport system doesn’t cover the whole city added to which it is over subscribed and regularly sees up to two million passengers riding on a single day.

Check out our very own Ian braving the Delhi roads for his very own wild ride earlier this year!