Faridabad Secretariat to go car-free once a week

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Tribune News Service

Faridabad, October 6

Taking a cue from World Car Free Day observed recently, the district authorities have announced to observe every Wednesday as Car Free Day. Faridabad is perhaps the first district in the state to have initiated such a move, no vehicle was permitted inside the Mini Secretariat here today as part of the drive.

“Though vehicles had not been allowed inside the Mini Secretariat on September 29, which was World Car Free Day, the district authorities have decided to make it a practice at least once a week in which officials and employees of the district administration will be asked to drop using a fuel-based vehicle and resort to other means, including bicycle, to come to the office,” says Rakesh Gautam the District Information and Public Relation sOfficer (DIPRO).

To use cycle to come to office

At least one day in a week, officials and employees of the district administration will be asked to drop using a fuel-based vehicle and resort to other means, including bicycle, to come to the office. Rakesh Gautam, Dist information and public relations officer

Will improve health of staff

Officials will be motivated to not use their personal vehicles at least once a week and this habit will not only save fuel and protect the environment, but also improve the health of the staff, who spend most part of the day sitting on chairs. Jitender Yadav, Deputy Commissioner

Revealing that Wednesday has been chosen for the drive, he said only bicycles would be allowed inside the secretariat premises on this day. Several officials, including the DC, ADC and City Magistrate used their own bicycles to come to the office today, a majority of the remaining staff, which included officials and employees, used public transport or resorted to other means like carpooling, it is reported.

Claiming that the drive has been launched on experimental or motivational basis, DC Jitender Yadav said the officials would be motivated to not use their personal vehicles at least once a week, he said this habit would not only save fuel and protect the environment, but also improve the health of the staff, who spend most part of the day sitting on chairs. He said other departments were being asked to implement it. Besides the provision of bicycle parking, he said a penalty could also be imposed on offenders.

Over 1,000 vehicles, including two-wheelers, are used by the staff reporting here daily. Several vehicles, including private ones that were not permitted entry inside the secretariat were seen parked on the roads adjoining the main building.