New Delhi: Delhi on Thursday hosted its first ever ‘Car-Free Day’ led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other cabinet ministers also took part in the event which aims to encourage people to use public transport.
“If we improve bus services in Delhi, it will contribute to this movement,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal, who has been brushing up his cycling skills for past few days to take part in the capital’s first Car-Free Day, rode cycle from Red Fort to India Gate, a stretch that will remain ‘Car-Free’ till the noon.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai, the brain behind the ‘Car-Free Day’, said government will organise such events on the 22nd day of every month.
Rai said the government had made parking arrangements at Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, India Gate and near Supreme Court for today’s event so that people coming to programme could park their vehicles at these points.
Car-Free Day will be observed from 7 AM to 12 noon today on the stretch connecting Red Fort to India Gate via Delhi Gate and ITO. Additional buses of DTC with frequency of one or two minutes will be deployed on this route for better facilitation of commuters.
“We want to encourage people to use buses, metro, auto rickshaws and other public transport mode so that pollution level could be brought down in Delhi. Cars are one of major sources of pollution in the national capital,” the transport minister said, adding that there are around 90,000 cars registered with the transport department.
The minister also said that some auto drivers will provide free service to support the Car-Free Day.
Earlier this month, Police Commissioner BS Bassi had denied permission to Delhi government to hold the programme, citing that the latter did not consult with the force before taking such a decision.
However, the permission to host ‘Car-Free Day’ was later given after Lt Governor Najeeb Jung intervened in the matter.