Delhi to go 'Car Free' for an entire day

Marching forward on his campaign to bring down pollution levels in the National Capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that his government will organise a organise 'Car-Free Day' across the national capital on 22 January, adding that he will also cycle to his office that day. 

Addressing a gathering at a recent event of 'Car-Free Day' - that takes place on seperate streets in different areas of Delhi on the 22nd of every month - Kejriwal said his government vows to take Car-Free Day from being symbolic to a widely observed affair. 

The Delhi CM informed that his party is working on cycle tracks to further bolster this initiative and appealed to people to choose them over cars to go to office. 

"On January 22, we will organise Car-Free Day across Delhi. I appeal people to go to their offices by cycle or public transport on that day. I will also go to my office on cycle on January 22," Kejriwal said and added, "If 5-10 per cent of people follow our appeal and use cycle and public transport on January 22, it will also be big achievement for us."

He said there was a 60 percent reduction in pollution level on the stretch between Red Fort and India Gate during the previous Car-Free Day on October 22 . 

Taking to Twitter to spread the word for this initiative, Kejriwal later said, "22 Dec-Car free day in East Del. 22 Jan-lets all leave car 4 one day n go office on cycle or public transport. I'll go 2 my office on cycle (sic)."

This month's edition of the event in Dwarka area kicked off with a cycle rally led by Arvind Kejriwal.

Members of Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Civil Service (DANICS) Officers' Association also participated in the cycle rally, which was also attended by Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma. Transport Minister Gopal Rai on the occasion said the government was getting warm response from people towards its Car-Free initiatives.