India's chief justice has backed a plan to restrict cars on the roads of Delhi, the country's national capital territory, and said he would be prepared to take the bus to work, calling on other judges to join.

The Delhi government announced last week it would allow cars on the roads only on alternate days beginning on Jan 1, as it tries to reduce the choking smog, which worsens during winter months as the colder air traps pollutants.

Justice T.S. Thakur said everyone had to do their bit to tackle the pollution crisis, caused partly by millions of cars piling onto the city's congested roads every day.