Gurgaon observed ‘car-free day’ on Tuesday to free the roads from traffic congestion and encourage people to use public modes of transportation.
Impressed by the move, Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said on every 22nd date a month, Delhi will observe “Car Free Day”. “We will appeal to the people to use the public transport and do car pooling. As a pilot, the route from Red Fort to India Gate will be made car free on October 22,” he said, adding that his department will ensure that no car is allowed on this stretch.
“On a festive day of Dusshera, we appeal the people of Delhi not to use their cars on the stretch from Red Fort to India Gate,” said the Transport Minister.
Also, the Government has decided to run a campaign to encourage people to use public transport in Delhi. The State Transport department is working on a detailed plan and is coordinating with all the departments like environment, Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Municipal Council of Delhi (MCD) to make Delhi congestion and pollution free.
Addressing a conference on ‘Congestion and Pollution Free Delhi’, the Minister announced that the Government would observe ‘Car Free Day’ on September 22, 2016 across the national capital. “We will ensure that on the 22nd of every month, we observe ‘Car Free Day’ on different road stretches so that we will be able to observe ‘World Car-free Day’ across Delhi on September 22 next year,” Rai said.
The Government has identified five major points to deal with traffic problems. “We will select five traffic points where people have to face traffic congestion every day. We will conduct a study on these points and seek a solution to make such points traffic-free. After five points, we will choose another five such points in second phase,” Rai told reporters.
Cycle stand will be commissioned in every metro station, buses should stop at the bus stand and if the driver does not obey the rules, action will be taken against him and more efforts will be made to reduce breakdown which are caused with DTC and DIMTS buses, Rai said.
Besides, the Government is planning to launch ‘PoochO Mobile application’ for all autos and taxis on October 22 next month. The data of all the auto rickshaw and taxi will be uploaded, so that people do not have to face any problem while accessing public transport, said Rai.