File photo of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung.
Days after Delhi Police denied permission to observe 'Car-Free Day' in Delhi, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today supported the government's initiative and said police will make extra arrangements to hold such an event on October 22.
Transport Minister Gopal Rai said that 'Car-Free Day', planned to be held on the day on the stretch from Red Fort to India Gate, will now be observed between Red Fort and Tilak Lane.
Mr Rai also said that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will participate in a cycle rally to be held on the same stretch till the India Gate.
The minister said that government will invite the Lt Governor, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and Union Environment Minister Prakash Javedkar to take a part in the event.
"As Dusshera is on October 22, police has to make a lot of arrangements on that day. We know that there will be extra efforts and strain on police...I have spoken to Police Commissioner and Joint Police Commissioner (Traffic) and they have agreed to make extra efforts on that day (October 22)," Mr Jung told reporters in Delhi.
He said that instead of observing 'Car-Free Day' throughout the day, the event will be held from 7 am to 12 noon on stretch between Red Fort and Tilak Marg Police station because there is no possibility of blocking C-Hexagon roads around India Gate as it will affect the city's traffic movement extensively.
"Car-Free Day aims to make people understand that they should not drive their private cars on October 22 and should use public transport instead.
"If you do not run this drive continuously, this message will not go among the people. This is a very good initiative to make people aware on using their cars less and resort to public transport," Mr Jung said, and thanked Mr Rai on the initiative.
Mr Rai said that government will ensure that no car is allowed to ply between the stretch falling between the Red Fort and Tilak Lane on October 22.
"We will deploy 20 DTC buses as shuttle service on this stretch. Besides, we will also arrange e-rickshaws on this route so that people don't have to face problem," Mr Rai told reporters in Delhi.
In his letter to Chief Secretary KK Sharma earlier this month, Police Commissioner BS Bassi had denied permission saying that he government did not hold "prior consultation" with the force before taking any decision in this regard.
Mr Bassi had also asked the Delhi government to choose another suitable day to hold the event, as it was clashing with Dusshera celebrations, which warrants heavy security deployment.