New Delhi: A car-free day was on Friday kicked off in North Delhi with a cycle rally led by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who accused the Delhi Police of not making efforts to make the event a success.
This was the fourth car-free day initiative of the AAP government to curb vehicular pollution. Sisodia's accusation came as he noticed cars being allowed to ply on the 'car-free stretch' from Vishwa Vidyalaya Metro Station to Chhatrasal Stadium.
"I am seeing that cars are running on the car-free stretch. Police should shoulder some responsibility (to make the event a success). We are even ready to give you (police) the credit of the success of odd-even.
"What will you get if this car-free day fails?..but if you think that by doing this, you would get satisfied...we will not have any objection then. It is our responsibility to make Delhi pollution-free," Sisodia said while addressing the public gathering here.
The Deputy Chief Minister said police should also participate in such events and if they get an order to make the programme a "failure", they should not obey the orders o their seniors.
Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that he got a letter from Special Commissioner (traffic) stating that volunteers will not be allowed to manage traffic during 'Car-Free Day'.
"We are happy that police has told us that volunteers will not be allowed to manage traffic. But, what will then be the sense of 'car-free day' if cars are allowed on car-free stretch," Rai asked.
He also said that the government will start a plantation drive from the next 'car-free day' across the national capital which will be held in South Delhi. Such an event is held on the 22nd of every month. Sisodia said government has taken several steps to make the city pollution-free,
The last 'car-free day' was organised in Laxmi Nagar. Rai had alleged that Delhi Police did not allow plying of buses on the car-free stretch. He had taken up this matter with senior police officials and registered his objection.
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