Authorities in Beijing have decided to take 1.3m automobiles off the roads for four days to test if the measure could improve air-quality for 2008 Olympic Games.
BEIJING: Concerned over the alarming air pollution levels, authorities in Beijing have decided to take 1.3 million automobiles off the roads for four days to test if the measure could improve air-quality for 2008 Olympic Games.
From August 17 to 20, the city will have cars with odd-numbered license plates and those with even-numbered ones hit the roads on alternate days, deputy director of the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau, Du Shaozhong said.
The city plans to adopt this practice to ensure clean air during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and the controversial move is aimed at testing the effects on environmental quality.
Earlier, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge had said air quality was a challenge for Beijing's preparation for the Games and that IOC was paying much attention to the same.
Du said the ban doesn't apply to taxis, buses, police cars and ambulances.
"The traffic control will enable us to take about 1.3 million vehicles off the roads every day," he said, noting that environmental protection experts will collect data to judge effects of the measure.
Exhaust discharged by vehicles is a major source of pollution in the capital. In November last year, Beijing exercised traffic control during the Sino-Africa summit and pollution level dropped, Du said.
Deputy director of the municipal transportation commission, Liu Xiaoming said they will increase public transport to meet commuting demand during the traffic control.
Beijing has just marked the one-year countdown to 2008 Olympics on August 8.
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