The busy Rama Nilayam Road in the city turned into venue for lots of fun and games on Sunday afternoon.
When some youngsters were engaged in tug-of-war, small children were roaming around in roller skaters and tricycles. Some were drawing pictures on the road. On the other side, people were playing chess on huge chessboards down the road.
Youngsters were dancing merrily along with Zumba performers. Students from various collages staged street plays on various social issues.
It was observation of International Car-free Day. The ESAF in association with the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Thrissur Livable Cities Network, Health Bridge Foundation and the NATPAC (National Transportation Planning and Research Centre) organised the observation of the day.
Car-free Day is a day of fun, free events to encourage people to get out of their cars and walk, bicycle or take public transport. It’s a day of the citizens to come together in large numbers to use the street for recreation that promotes health, well-being, fitness and togetherness, said the organisers.
The main objectives of the car-free day observation is to create awareness on the need for reducing air and noise pollution, ensuring safe streets for pedestrians and cyclists, more efficient and accessible public transport system and to reduce road accidents. It also aims at promoting a healthy living by encouraging public to adopt an active lifestyle. The crowd increased in size as more and more people joined for the events. The programme that started around 2 p.m. concluded by 7 p.m.
