Imagine strolling on busy Bistupur Main Road with no looking to the left or right. No screeching brakes and shrill horns, and enjoying rich food and games on street.
Taking a cue from the street festivals organised at Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Bhubaneswar, the Steel City is finally embracing the concept of vehicle-free streets on Sundays, under the banner Jam@Streets.
Addressing a Press meet, Sunil Bhaskaran, vice president, corporate services, Tata Steel said that the community at Jamshedpur is organising Jam@Streets on Sunday February 21 at Main Road, Bistupur from 6.00 am to 10.00 am in the morning. This will be the first such event which is being planned to be organised at Jamshedpur every month on a Sunday.
“It is an innovative way we want to instill a sense of belonging to the denitizens here. They come out every Sunday spend time with their friends and family on the streets. Jam@Streets Day is akin to a street festival with goodies, which can be indulged in by the whole family. It will have sporting events like roller skating, badminton, basketball, yoga, cycling, aerobics, golf and much more. Together with games, there will be rock bands adding to the Sunday euphoria with selfie corner, street painting, magic show, dandiya,” said Bhaskaran.
The vice-president also said that in association with Jamshedpur Hoteliers’ Association several food stalls offering a variety of morning delights including dosas, golgappas, upma, idli, samosa, kachori sabzee, health drinks and fruits, sandwiches, cakes, will be offered on the streets.
On the occasion, Ashish Mathur, managing director, Jusco, said that the event provides an opportunity for the whole family to blend together and indulge in different activities.
“Similar events are being held at different cities in India under different names like Raahgiri at Delhi and Bhubaneshwar, Happy Street at Kolkata and similar initiatives are being undertaken at other cities also. We have tried to bring the joy and fun of the street to our city too,” said Mathur.
He also informed that vehicular movement from 6.00 am to 10.00 am will be restricted on Main Road, Bistupur on Sunday. People wanting to go to railway station will have to take Kharkhai link Road to reach Kharkhai Bridge and then to Voltas roundabout.