In a bid to provide relief to the daily commuters, who get frustrated due to day-to-day traffic jam, Dehradun DM Ravinath Raman banned Government officials’ entry by car in the district administration’s office for a day, that is, Saturday only. The no-car-day was enforced voluntarily on for the day.
However, very few Government vehicles were parked at Parade Ground by the government officials on the first day of the initiative.
The Dehradun DM reached the Parade Ground at noon and parked his Government vehicle there and walked upto his office at the Collectorate.
Earlier at office time on Saturday, additional DM Pratap Shah, City Magistrate lalit Narayan Mishra, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mussoorie NS Dangi and other district officials also parked their vehicles at Parade Ground and walked to go to their offices. Some Government officials used public transport to reach their offices.
City Magistrate Mishra claimed that the initiative was successful on Saturday as Government officials had parked their vehicles at Parade Ground and used public transport or walked to go to their offices. Such initiative would continue on each Saturday.
“Apart from Government officials, if 5-10 per cent of people follow our appeal and use cycle and public transport, it will also be big achievement for us," he added.
He said that the objective of this initiative was to encourage Government officials and people to use public transport to reach their destination. Dehradun residents are facing traffic congestion on day basis as we have limited resource but the numbers of vehicles are rising day by day in the State capital.
He said that in order to make this initiative successful public awareness is needed. Such initiative would help in improving traffic system and curbing pollution level in the State capital.
Earlier on Friday DM Ravinath Raman had appealed to the government officials to follow the initiative of no-car- day on Saturday. Under the initiative the officials were directed to park their vehicles at the Parade Ground and opt for public transport or walk to reach their respective offices. No-car day will be organised on every Saturday.