Paris adopts Delhi's odd-even formula to beat worst pollution in a decade

With the French capital clouded by thick smog and gripped by travel chaos, Paris is witnessing its worst winter pollution in 10 years. To deal with the situation, much to everybody's surprise, the authorities are doing, what Delhiites have tried and tested already - the odd even formula.

In an effort to limit traffic emissions, on even days, only cars with even-number license plates were allowed to drive. And on odd days, those with odd-number license plates are allowed.

Not just this, public transportation has also been free since December 6. According to a local news outlet, the free public transport is costing the city an estimated $4.3 million a day.

The Metro underground system and overground rail in the French capital are drowning in people's crowd, since the zero cost fares has been announced.

Experts say the unusually smoggy skies are a function of emissions from power plants, traffic and heating - particularly wood fires - kept closer to ground level by low winds and high pressure.

However, this is not the first time Paris has imposed such measures in response to high pollution levels, with similar traffic bans in 2015, 2014 and 1997.