The Times of India          02.12.2013

It's time to get rid of 'chauffeur-driven view of things, ministry of urban development official says

GURGAON: That Raahgiri Day has resonated with the people of Gurgaon is evident by the numbers that head for this car-free zone, equipped with bicycles and running shoes, every Sunday morning. But quite apart from having become the 'carnival of the streets,' Raahgiri Day can also be seen as that necessary first step of altering the mindsets that usually precedes larger systemic changes - like safer roads and better facilities for cyclists and walkers, required so urgently in Gurgaon.

"Generating more awareness about non-motorized transport is the first thing, it's important that the demand for cycling and walking infrastructure is kept up," said S K Lohia, OSD, Urban Transport in the Ministry of Urban Development, who was among those present at the venue of the third edition of Raahgiri Day on Sunday.

Criticizing 'policy makers, planners and implementers' for having a 'chauffeur-driven view of things,' Lohia said that it's time people realized that roads are not meant only for cars.

"The moment a person sits inside a car, he treats pedestrians with contempt. And events such as this can change the mindset in a big way," Lohia told TOI.

Transport authorities in Bangalore are already working on their own version of Raahgiri Day, which is expected to be launched in January next year. According to Lohia, the concept of Raahgiri Day has great potential for further replication in any urban setting.

"Initiatives such as these should absolutely be replicated in cities like Delhi. I would say that this is relevant for any city in the world," Lohia told TOI.

According to the MCG councillor Nisha Singh, all European cities have taken a holistic approach towards infrastructural development, with special facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and equal emphasis on public transport. "The same has to happen in Gurgaon, as much as it does in any other Indian city. This is the future and the only solution," she said.