One of the busiest stretches in the Capital will go car-free in line with the government’s campaign to de-congest the city.
Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Monday announced the Ab Bus karen Jan Parivahan – Swasthya Jeevan initiative which, to begin with, will see the stretch from India Gate to Red Fort going car-free on October 22.
Mr. Rai said the government would ensure that various modes of public transport were available to avoid inconvenience to the people on the chosen day. The government also proposed a cycle rally on the car-free stretch similar to the one organised by the Gurgaon Police last week.
In an interview to The Hindu in May, Mr. Rai had stated that he viewed ‘effecting a systemic change in the way Delhi commutes’ as a challenge and an objective.
On Monday, the Minister said the government proposed to convert the campaign into a sustained effort for creating awareness about the benefits of using public transport, promoting car-pooling, encouraging the use of bicycles and adhering to lane driving.
According to a transport department source, keeping in mind the Capital's massive vehicular population and teeming number of floating vehicles, it has been decided to test the waters only on one stretch.
Gurgaon has declared every Tuesday car-free day.
“We plan to do so in phases and on different stretches because the aim is to project public transportation as a viable and hassle-free alternative. This will convince the public to switch over from private vehicles,” said an official.
A meeting has been convened on October 1 where officials of the Transport Department, Delhi Transport Corporation, DIMTS, Delhi Traffic Police, Police (law & order), DMRC, DPCC, PWD, MCD, NDMC, ASI, ITDP and EMBARQ will participate. This would be followed by a meeting with MLAs and other organizations on October 9 to ensure their participation.
