The third car-free day is to be observed on Tuesday to curb air pollution in East Delhi’s Vikas Marg between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm between ITO and Anand Vihar Terminal.
Also, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has decided to run a special shuttle service on Vikas Marg on December 22.
Admitting the challenge, Transport Minister Gopal Rai said, “It is going to be a big challenge as December 22 is a working day and we have chosen a congested stretch to hold this car-free day. There will be some inconvenience to commuters but the positive side is there are three metro stations that fall on the designated stretch that commuters can use conveniently to reach their destinations.”
Earlier two car-free days had fallen on holidays: October 22 (Dussehra) and November 22 (Sunday) due to which, the traffic flow was anyway lower.
Besides, 20 extra buses would be in operation from 8 am to 4 pm between ITO and Anand Vihar Terminal on Vikas Marg
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will lead the cycle rally that will start from Poorva Sanskritik Kendra (PSK), Vikas Marg. He will be accompanied by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and other MlAs.
“While last time we had assigned leading role to the Government officers, this time, we are assigning a similar role to the traders of laxmi Nagar to make them a part of this movement. We are also requesting them not to park their cars on the car-free stretch,” Rai said.
Talking about the extra arrangements in view of December 22 being a working day, Rai said, “While last time we had appointed 300 civil defense personnel to regulate traffic, this time we have appointed 500 civil defense personnel who will be aided by another 500 volunteers. Police constables will also be deployed at all the diversion points where commuters travelling by cars will be requested to take alternate routes avoiding the car-free stretch.”
Transport Minister Gopal Rai had declared on World Car-free Day (September 22) that the 22nd day of every month will be observed as car-free day in different parts of the city in preparation for a city-wide car-free day on the next World Car-free Day. Interestingly, the Government later announced that a city-wide car-free day will be organised on January 22 as well.