Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and almost the entire contingent of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) 67 legislators, participated in the Capital’s maiden car-free day on Thursday. But did tokenism overshadow the government’s core aim of popularising public transport and selfie on cycles subdue the use of public buses? The jury is out on both questions.
A senior government official associated with the initiative admitted there weren’t many takers for a contingent of Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses earmarked exclusively for free rides on the stretch chosen to be made car-free. “Behaviourial changes take time to unfold; on its part, the government is sure this will happen gradually,” the official said.
Flagging off a cycle rally -- which he led from the Red Fort in north Delhi -- Mr. Kejriwal, with a white cap turned backward replacing the 'Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) topi ', said the event evidenced the government's commitment to offering public transportation as a viable alternative to the Capital's residents in addition to gradually improving its ambient air quality.
“If we improve the availability of buses and other forms of public transportation to the people of Delhi, I am certain they will contribute to, and become a part of, this movement in the near future,” Mr Kejriwal told the press in the morning followed by two tweets quoting studies arguing that the air quality had improved significantly.
Both Mr. Kejriwal, through his tweets, and Transport Minister Gopal Rai admitted the event had illustrated the enormity of the actual task at hand – inculcating a sea change in the way the average Delhiite preferred to commute.
“Comfortable, reliable, accessible public transport system n better designed roads is the key. I'll personally work on this,” the Chief Minister tweeted. Mr. Rai told The Hindu that his Department's bid to popularise public transportation would be taken up on 'a war-footing.' Several changes, Mr. Rai, who reiterated the institutionalisation of the car-free day in the Capital by ensuring its observance on different stretches on the 22nd of every month, said several modifications would be made to the required arrangements well in time before the next car free the next instalment of which will be organised at south west Delhi's Dwarka on November 22.
“The event evidenced the government’s commitment to offering public transport as a viable alternative”
