Gurgaon: Four corridors may soon turn car-free zones

The four IT corridors where Gurgaon’s first Car-Free Day was observed this week may soon become permanent car-free zones.

The four IT corridors where Gurgaon’s first Car-Free Day was observed this week may soon become permanent car-free zones.

One of the six surface parking lots in Cyber City identified by the traffic police. Commuters will be charged a nominal amount for not using personal cars. (Abhinav Saha/HT photo)

Last Tuesday, Netaji Subash Marg, Cyber City, Golf Course Road and Electronic City in Udyog Vihar were made car-free under Gurgaon’s first Car-Free Day.

The initiative was a success as corporate employees carpooled, cycled and used public transport to reach their workplace. This reduced the number of cars on the otherwise busy roads by 20%.

Taking the initiative to the next level, the Gurgaon traffic police are planning to provide special parking lots along the stretches to make them car-free zones throughout the week. Officers believe this will help reduce traffic jams on the roads to a great extent.

“After the success of Car-Free Day, we have decided to solve parking and traffic problems in Gurgaon. The aim of Car-Free Day is to encourage office-goers to switch to public transport,” said Bharti Arora, joint commissioner of police (traffic).

The police will slap of fine of Rs 400 on commuters for parking vehicles on roadsides. The police will tow away the vehicles using cranes hired from private agencies, officers said.

Representatives of The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), Embarq and corporate firms have decided to support the police in implementing the initiative. Companies will award employees who participate in the initiative. The administration will also provide shuttle services on the four roads at Rs 10 per head.

Residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) have decided to promote carpooling in their localities and demarcate cycle tracks to promote the use of bicycles every Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Joint Action Forum of Residents Associations (Jafra), a body of 52 RWAs, met the joint commissioner on Thursday and assured support for the initiative. BD Pahuja, vice-president of Jafra, said, “The traffic police will provide us with banners and pamphlets to spread awareness among residents. We will demarcate cycle tracks in our areas by using cones and wires every Tuesday.”

“The RWA will award those who will carpool for the longest period. We will give them certificates. The group of residents using bicycles to cover short distances will also be appreciated,” Arora said.

The police are also planning to demarcate temporary cycle tracks, for which they are surveying different arterial roads in the city.