Third time's no charm

The third edition of Car-Free Day was observed on Tuesday without the usual hype and enthusiasm surrounding the weekly event.

Unlike the earlier two occasions when Gurgaon Police Commissioner Navdeep Virk and the other senior officers showed a lot of enthusiasm towards the event and were visible on the roads promoting it, this time around it seemed a cold affair with the senior police officers and the organisers being inaccessible.

The last press statement from the Gurgaon Police regarding the event was also issued on October 2. The third event, it said, “would be bigger than the earlier two in terms of participation. The statement said that the focus this time around would be on involving traditional industry and corporates.

“The area of focus will be Udyog Vihar. Each police station will also motivate and involve at least five residents’ welfare associations to join the movement. The Gurgaon Police along with private initiatives will make all efforts to make it a huge success,” read the statement.

The Car-Free Day selfie contest, introduced by Mr. Virk a week ago, to increase participation of the masses also failed to evoke any response with not a single selfie being posted on the Twitter account of the Gurgaon Police. Last week, Mr. Virk had led the campaign posting several selfies, but this time around he also chose to stay away.

Though the police and the organisers refused to comment on why the lukewarm response, it is believed that the dispute between Mr. Virk and Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Bharti Arora — the two officers had publicly levelled allegations against each other over a case pertaining to rape — led to polarisation between the force with both factions disowning the event.

However, cyclists could be seen plying on the tracks and few vehicles were parked on the roads on the four identified corridors. A cycle rally was also carried out by the police promoting use of public transport and school students were seen standing near Unitech Cyber Park holding placards urging people to avoid using their cars. The Gurgaon Police also thanked Maruti Suzuki India for collaborating on the third Car-Free Day.

The organisers claimed that the Car-Free Day has gained momentum among many.

“Corporate giant NTT data who employs about 1,500 people in Gurgaon recorded a 30 per cent reduction of cars. Another corporate who has supported the initiative since its inception, Nagarro, employed a parking charge of Rs.100 for employees to use their basement, discouraging them to get their personal transport. Another corporate house Evalueserve, which normally witnesses about 300 cars in their office premises, experienced a 10 per cent reduction in the number of cars,” read the statement.

The organisers also claimed the support of many schools to the campaign.

“Rotary Public School took out a cycle rally from their school to Ansal Plaza and back earlier today [on Tuesday] morning. It was led by Traffic Tau of Gurgaon Police. The principal of the school was also seen cycling with about 50 of her students spreading awareness on sustainable transport contributing to a pollution-free Gurgaon. GEM School, South City-II; GEM School, Palam Vihar and Scottish High campaigned around their school premises urging parents and staff to make use of alternate modes of transport, read the statement.

Several corporate heads had a meeting with the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon commissioner Vikas Gupta at his office on Tuesday on road safety, pedestrian and non-motorised vehicle infrastructure, parking and public transport.

Apart from discussions on implementation of bicycle tracks at the earliest, there were also talks on entry of bicycles into public spaces (like markets, malls, clubs, hotels, etc) and convenient and secure parking of the same.

The MCG Commissioner agreed to immediately issue orders and requested corporates to draft the order which he can suitably review and release.

The Commissioner also mentioned about selecting stretches in the city where pedestrian and bicycle facilities maybe provided on a pilot basis within 3-6 months. He said that preparations for the same had already begun at the stretch from HUDA City Centre to Signature Tower.

Along with this, it was also mentioned that the MCG intends to take up 30 market places where bicycle facilities would be provided.

The Car-Free Day selfie contest failed to evoke any response with not a single selfie being posted on the Twitter account of the Gurgaon Police