It has almost been six months since Gurgaon observed its first Car Free Day (CFD) on September 22 last year to promote non-motorised transport in the Millennium City.
With the active participation of the citizens, government agencies, NGOs and corporations, the event has seen a steady reduction in the number of vehicles on the roads on CFDs and an improvement in air quality as well.
But with little being done by the government to build infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and improve public transport, a debate has begun on whether the event has been reduced to just another monthly ritual like Raahgiri.
“CFDs in Gurgaon are about sensitising people that there are alternative modes of commute other than motor vehicles and it has made some headway in changing the perceptions of the people. There are a lot of good practices that have emerged from CFDs. Corporations like Nagarro have thrown their weight behind the initiative and have shifted to buses from cabs completely and have also started charging parking fee for single occupancy car. About 10 corporations have come forward in setting up a commuter database, which will facilitate travel by buses instead of cabs and thereby reduce congestion and pollution,” said Sariak Panda Bhatt, manager (city and transport) with Embarq (India),
According to Ms. Sarika the major takeaway from CFDs is that sustainable transport has become a household discussion topic. Besides, the CFDs have also seen the advent and growth of many innovative transport options in the city like app-based bus service providers, ride-sharing services, app-based auto rickshaws, women-only buses, bike taxis and car pooling portals which has improved ease in commuting for residents. Also, corporations have come up with unique ideas like setting up cycle stands to encourage employees to take up active transport. A number of schools have set up Road Safety Clubs, she added. The impact of the initial CFD on air quality in the city was monitored by Haryana State Pollution Control Board and a 16-20 per cent reduction in pollution levels was recorded.
Despite all this, there is a section of society that feels that CFDs like Raahgiri, a weekly event to promote non-motorised transport, has been reduced to a ritual and nothing significant has been achieved on the ground.
“Six months after CFD took off, the autos in the city still ply without meters. No efforts have been done to regularise them so that more people can then use them with proper regulated fares. The city bus service is pathetic and needs massive improvement. If the Haryana government is really serious about promoting public transport, it should ply air conditioned buses on major routes. The cycle tracks are nowhere to be seen in the city.It is difficult for the pedestrians to walk on pavements, which are in pathetic condition and are encroached upon. It makes little sense to hold Car Free Days every week without sufficient public transportation capability,” said Neeraj Sheoran, a software engineer.
