Delhi to go 'Car-Free' on Jan 22: Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today announced that his government will organise 'Car-Free Day' across the national capital on January 22, saying he will also cycle to his office that day.

Addressing a gathering at an event of 'Car-Free Day' held on the road stretch between Dwarka Sector 3-13 and Sector 7-9, Kejriwal said his government vows to take Car-Free Day from being symbolic to a reality.

The Chief Minister also appealed to people to forego cars and opt for cycle or public transport to go to their offices.

"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.

"If 5-10% of people follow our appeal and use cycle and public transport on January 22, it will also be big achievement for us," he added.

Kejriwal also said that the Aam Aadmi Party government was working on cycle-tracks in the national capital to further bolster the initiative.

The Delhi Government presently holds Car-Free Day on separate stretches in different areas onthe 22nd of every month. On October 22, the transport department had held such event between from Red Fort to India Gate.

The next Car-Free Day here will be held in East Delhi's Patparganj area on December 22.

"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)," Kejriwal later tweeted.

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

Today's event in Dwarka area kicked off with a cycle rally led by Chief Minister 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 K K Sharma.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai on the occasion said the government was getting warm response from people towards its Car-Free initiatives.