Delhi to go 'car-free' on stretch between Red Fort, India Gate on Oct 22

New Delhi: Aimed at encouraging people to use public transport in the national capital, Delhi government has planned to observe 'Car Free Day' on the road stretch between Red Fort and India Gate on October 22.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said that his department will ensure that no car is allowed on this stretch on October 22, a day when people will celebrate Dussehra, adding that government will appeal to people not to use their own vehicles once in a month.

The government has also decided to run a campaign to encourage people to use public transport in Delhi.

Addressing a conference on 'Congestion and Pollution Free Delhi', the Minister announced that government would observe 'Car Free Day' on September 22, 2016 across the national capital.

"On October 22, we will make efforts that no cars are allowed to run between the stretch of Red Fort and India Gate, and ensure that people use public transport on that day.

"We will ensure that on the 22nd of every month, we observe 'Car Free Day' on different road stretches so that we will be able to observe 'World Carfree Day' across Delhi on September 22 next year," Rai said here.

Asked about Dussehra on October 22 and VIP movements on this stretch, he said that VIPs can go, but the government wants common people to use public transport on this stretch for only one day.

"Government will run a campaign to make people aware about Congestion and Pollution-free Delhi. We will involve different departments, including pollution and transport, Delhi Police, NCC, NGOs and volunteers," he said.

He also said that under this campaign, government will make people understand that the air of Delhi is being polluted, and they should help in making the city pollution free.

According to transport department, government has invited suggestions from the common people to name the campaign and it will encourage people to join in large numbers.

Addressing a press conference here, the Transport Minister issued his email I'd - gopalrai.Delhi@gov.In - for suggesting the name of this campaign. A committee of experts will soon be formed which will scrutinise the suggestions and then take a final call on the name of campaign.

Rai also directed Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) to make all the state's taxis and autorickshaws come under the purview of 'PoochO' app so that people are able to hire such vehicles using this app on the lines of other app-based private taxi service providers.

The Minister said that transport department will launch the PoochO app service for all autos and taxis on October 22 next month.