In celebration of World Car-Free Day, we held a vibrant event, near Mandai, in the core city of Pune. The initiative aimed to promote the concept of car-free cities and engage citizens in meaningful discussions about sustainable urban mobility. The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including local residents, students, and visitors to the historic core city of Pune. Attendees had the opportunity to share their perspectives on the importance of reducing car dependency and enhancing public transportation, cycling, and walking infrastructure.
Key highlights of the event
We included interactive sessions where citizens expressed their visions for a greener Pune, emphasising the need for pedestrian-friendly spaces and improved public transport options. Participants also enjoyed the display of photographs of cities which had congested areas before they adopted car-free zones, and the transformation thereafter. We had installed panels displaying car-free streets in two cities Amritsar, Punjab and Chandni Chowk, Delhi. They participated in activities such as making traffic related Puneri Paatis, and sharing their thoughts on how they see their lives in a car-free Pune. We posed three thought-provoking questions to the public:
- What’s your favourite place to walk/cycle in Pune?
- What do we need to become a less vehicle-dependent city?
- If Pune were car-free, how would life be for you?
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The responses were incredible! Many shared visions of a more breathable, motor congestion-free city where public transport and cycling flourish. Participants dreamt of enjoying places like Pune University, Sinhagad Road, Laxmi Road, and Shivaji Nagar without the hassle of traffic. Mamta Dudhanikar, a participant, felt that there should be dedicated roads for public transport.
Transforming our city into a car-free space is essential for improving air quality and promoting healthier lifestyles in the city. The event was a step towards raising awareness and creating a sustainable urban environment. We are also grateful to the Pune Traffic Police who were not only cooperative in giving us space but also promoted the idea of Car-free Day proactively by appealing to Punekars through their social media on Instagram and Twitter. The event served not only as a platform for discussion but also as a celebration of community spirit and collective responsibility towards building a cleaner, healthier Pune.
Cyclists for clean air? Absolutely!
To mark the day, we also hosted a 'Cycle for Clean Air' ride, in collaboration with students of DriveChange Learning & Resource Centre (DLRC). We attached low-cost air quality monitors to few cycles and measured the Air Quality Index (AQI) throughout the route, offering a tangible glimpse of the air we breathe. By the end of the ride, participants were deeply engaged with the AQI readings, especially when levels spiked to 200 AQI after passing three burning waste piles. The cyclists were also informed about the Comprehensive Mobility Plan and Pune Bicycle Plan that the city has, and how could they support in advocating for implementing better cycling infrastructure in the city.
We may not always see the pollution around us, or what is causing it, but we know that it exists! Through regularly conducting cycle rides for similar causes, we aim to bring more awareness to acknowledge the existence of this issue, and voice our demand for #CleanAir. A special shoutout to Mr. Mangesh Dighe, PMC's Environment Officer for taking part in the ride. His presence shows support for cleaner air in Pune that could be achieved with improved sustainable mobility alternatives in the city.
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What is the relevance of Car-free Day?
World Car-Free Day is celebrated on September 22 every year to raise awareness about the environmental and social impact of cars and to promote positive change with sustainable mobility. On this day, people are encouraged to give up their cars and experience streets free of motor traffic as it contributes the most to congestion, and has high carbon emissions per person per km. We need to adopt transportation planning that focuses on Walk-Public Transport-Cycle. It is an opportunity for the city to raise awareness of road safety, traffic congestion, and reducing air and noise pollution.
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The Lexicon of Life of the Mission LiFE initiative by the MoEFCC, GOI recommends practising International Car-Free Day. It also supports the vision of the Pune Development Plan of pedestrianising streets of the core city congested zone, especially Laxmi Road to decongest it. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) also pedestrianises Laxmi road on Pune Pedestrian Day on December 11 every year.
In this article, 'Transforming cities: The case for going car-free to make cities safer and economically sustainable too', Ranjit Gadgil, Program Director of Parisar, sheds light on what are the benefits of reducing car usage, and why we need cities to be built around people and not cars. Click here to read more on what could Pune do to reduce reliance on car and improve alternate sustainable modes of commute!
Article in Marathi
Coverage of the event by media
'World Car-Free Day promotes sustainable mobility' - Pune Times Mirror by Eeshwari Jedhe
