Third car-free day observed

Tribune News Service 

New Delhi, December 22

In an effort to curb pollution, the Delhi Government today observed the third car-free day in the city. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other ministers, MLAs, senior officers, school students and girls participated in a cycle rally from Laxmi Nagar to Kakri Mor in East Delhi. 

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had to lead the rally, but he could come as he was not feeling well. 

A cycle rally as part of the initiative was organised on the route from Laxmi Nagar Metro station to Poorva Sanskritik Kendra via Karkari Mor bridge. It started at 8 am.

Sisodia, who attended the event, rode on a bicycle and appealed to the people to take to cycling as a way of ensuring the success of the odd-even number scheme.

"As pollution is increasing in Delhi, people should opt for public transport. I appeal to the people to make the odd-even number scheme a success," said Sisodia, who also re-launched the Poocho app ahead of the launch of the scheme on January 1.

The app will allow commuters to use their smartphones to book autos and taxis. It enables autorickshaws and taxis with GPS to connect to a common server. 

The next car-free day will be organised near Delhi University in north Delhi, said Transport Minister Gopal. 

"The first and the second car-free days were holidays, but today is a working day and this is a busy road. So, it was a challenge for us. But Delhiites have proved that be it Sunday or Monday, it doesn't matter, they are ready to fight against pollution," Rai said.

He further said that on December 24, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a press conference to present the blueprint on the implementation of the odd-even number scheme.

Twenty additional buses were pressed into service to avoid any inconvenience to people on the "car-free day".

Traffic was quite slow near Anand Vihar ISBT and at ITO as the entry of cars was restricted between 8 am and 4 pm.