Authorities in Beijing are set to being a drastic plan to lift the Chinese capital’s grey shroud of pollution just three weeks ahead of the Olympic Games.
Half of the city's 3.3 million vehicles will be pulled off the roads and many polluting factories will be shut down tomorrow.
Chemical plants, power stations and foundries left open have to cut emissions by a third and dust-spewing construction in the capital will be halted.
In a highly staged-managed Olympics, aimed at showing off the rising power of the 21st century, no challenge is greater than producing crystalline air for 10,500 of the world's greatest athletes.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has repeatedly warned that outdoor endurance events lasting more than an hour will be postponed if the air quality is poor.
A World Bank study found China is home to 16 of the 20 worst cities for air quality. Three-quarters of the water flowing through urban areas is unsuitable for drinking or fishing.
Under the two-month plan, vehicles will be allowed on the roads every other day depending on even-odd registration numbers.
In addition, 300,000 heavy polluting vehicles - ageing industrial trucks, many of which operate only at night - were banned beginning July 1st.
Five days after tomorrow's traffic ban goes into effect, special Olympic traffic lanes will be begin operating until September 25th. This plan has been used in previous games.
Beijing is setting aside nearly 300 kilometres of roads, where certified Olympic vehicles will be allowed to move from hotels, Olympic venues and the Athletes Village.
To further ease congestion, employers are being asked to stagger work schedules. Public institutions will open an hour later than normal.
Two new subway lines are scheduled to open tomorrow.
AP