NEW DELHI:  The odd-even road measure scheme is back as the noxious smog in the city exceeds the Chinese capital Beijing, acknowledged for its record pollution levels. The scheme -- under which cars with license plates ending in an odd number and even-number are permitted to carry out on alternate days -- will be in practice from November 13 to 17, sources said.

Previously today, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had thought the decision on Odd-Even formula "will be in practice by today or tomorrow, if the need arises".

The odd-even road rationing scheme  which cuts down vehicular traffic almost by half -- has been adopted twice since  CM Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party came to in power. It was put into practice twice in 2016 from January 1-15 and April 15-30.

But the meager public transport services, in spite of Delhi's vast Metro network, was seen as a titanic challenge to the execution of the scheme and the government later said it could be implemented only when air pollution levels stay at the "urgent situation" category for 48 hours.

This time, as particulate matter in the air went off charts; the Delhi High Court suggested the scheme, if brought back, could help "clear the city". With the levels of carcinogenic gases in air intensifying to about 10 times the reading in Beijing, doctors have called it a public health emergency and advised "evacuation".

Late last evening, the Delhi government declared a series of measures intended at reducing pollution levels. Commercial trucks have been banned from the city but for they are transporting essential items till further orders, construction activities have been stopped and car parking charges hiked four-fold to force residents to make use of public transport.

While toxic smog has been a regular feature of Delhi winters, it has spiraled over the last few years. CM Kejriwal has held responsible it on stubble burning by farmers in neighboring states Punjab and Haryana. After urging his corresponding person in the neighboring states to offer feasible alternatives to farmers, CM Kejriwal said today that his requests for imperative meetings with them also are yet to be granted.