Delhi to go 'car-free' on Jan 22; I'll cycle to office: Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister on Sunday announced that his government will organise 'Car-Free Day' across the national capital on January 22.

New Delhi: To make Delhi pollution-free, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that 'Car-Free Day' will be organised across the national capital on January 22, saying that he will cycle to his office that day.

He also said that the government with the support of people will run campaign to encourage masses to use cycle or public transport to reach their offices on January 22.

The Delhi government today held the second 'Car-Free Day' in Dwarka -- on the road stretch between Sector 3-13 and Sector 7-9, which witnessed a cycle rally led by Kejriwal, and participation of school children, and IAS and DANICS officers.

The chief minister said, "If we reduce cars on the roads of Delhi, pollution level can come down significantly in the national capital.

"I am not saying that the entire Delhi will follow our appeal and if 5 or 10 per cent of people follow our appeal, 10 per cent pollution will come down which will be big achievements for us," he said.

"We will organise it in entire Delhi on January 22 and I am very sure that we will succeed... I will also cycle to my office on January 22," Kejriwal said while addressing a gathering in Dwarka.

Kejriwal also vowed to soon take Car-Free Day from being symbolic to a reality. At present, the government holds such Car-Free Day on 22nd of every month on separate stretches in different areas.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that government will make an appeal to people not to use their private cars on January 22.

"We will appeal to the people of Delhi to use cycle or public transport to their offices on January 22. Besides, government will also organise a cycle rally on separate stretches as part of 'Car-Free Day'," Rai said.

Delhi Traffic Police did not allow private cars between Sector 3-13 and Sector 7-9 choosen as 'car-free' stretch.

He also said that when some NGOs and Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) measured pollution level between Red Fort and India Gate during the first 'Car-Free Day' last month, they found that there was 60 per cent decrease in pollution level on the stretch.

"There were several talks about the exact reason of rising pollution in Delhi but it was made clear when pollution came down between Red Fort and India Gate because cars did not run on this stretch," he added.