From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Nov 6: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday launched the 'Church Street First’ the first of its kind clean air street test bed in India.

As part of the new initiative in Church Street, which is behind Bengaluru’s prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Road, vehicular traffic has been completely banned during weekends to minimize air pollution. Vehicular traffic was completely banned in the city’s lung space of Cubbon Park, opposite VidhanaSoudha and adjacent to Karnataka High Court, during all Saturdays and Sundays.

Vehicular traffic on Church Street will be banned till the end of February 2021 and only pedestrians will be allowed as part of a pilot project. The impact of the initiative will be assessed later for further action.

However, vehicles will be allowed to ply of the road only in case of emergency.

With vehicular numbers exceeding the 80 lakh mark and constantly growing at 10 per cent annually, the State Government has taken various initiatives to minimize air pollution as clean air and water are fundamental rights of all citizens, explained Urban Development Minister Byrathi Basavaraj.

Congress MLA N A Harris, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Administrator Gaurav Gupta, Commissioner Majunath Prasad and others were present at the function.