‘Car-free day’ gets mixed response from Gzb residents

Car owners had mixed reactions to the Ghazibad’s first ‘car-free day’ and raised questions about last-mile connectivity.

The first ‘car-free day’ organised by the Ghaziabad RWA federation in Ghaziabad city on Wednesday was observed primarily as an awareness drive. Car owners who had come out on the roads with their vehicles had mixed reactions and raised questions about last-mile connectivity.

Volunteers of the Ghaziabad RWA federation distributed pamphlets and offered roses to commuters on Wednesday morning to raise awareness about the event. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

“We have seen news reports of car-free day in Delhi and we always thought that something like this should happen in our city as well. It is a welcome step,” said Prakriti Shandilya, a commuter going to Noida from CISF crossing.

City residents said they knew about the event, but last-mile connectivity was a major issue when it comes to implementation.

“Give us last-mile connectivity and I will completely shun the use of car to go to office, provided the agencies provide us with last-mile connectivity to the nearest metro stations. Local transport is a big issue in areas like Indirapuram,” said Sanjeev Sethi, an Indirapuram resident.

“It is a good initiative, but it is not practical as the public transport system in Ghaziabad is not as strong as in Delhi and hence car-free day might be a big failure here,” said SK Aftab, a resident of Vasundhara.

In addition, volunteers came forward to address residents’ questions and requested them to support the initiative.

“Car free day will be held only for one day in a month and various metro feeder buses have also been started by the roadways, which will help in last-mile connectivity to metro stations. Moreover, it is beneficial to the environment as well,” said Josh Leon, a volunteer of the RWA federation at Indirapuram.

Nearly 100 volunteers of the Ghaziabad RWA federation distributed pamphlets and offered roses to commuters at Indirapuram and Vasundhara on Wednesday morning.

“It is a humble beginning. It will take time to bring desired results. When our neighbouring cities have shown us the way, our residents should also come forward and show that they care for their city,” said Colonel (retired) TP Tyagi from the federation.

Meanwhile, another residents’ body, the federation of apartment owners’ association (FED-AOA) at Indirapuram, also welcomed the move.

“It is a good initiative in the interest of the city and its residents. We will support the initiative to help curb traffic congestion and air pollution,” said Alok Kumar, from FED-AOA.

“We have sent a proposal to the regional transport department for 250 e-rickshaws. It will be put up before the regional transport authority for clearance. The move will help improve last-mile connectivity once the proposal is cleared,” said Amar Singh, superintendent of police (traffic) at Ghaziabad.