Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (MD)

Mangaluru, Nov 12: Commissioner of Police S Murugan launched the 'Car-free day' movement and T-shirt related to it brought out by Mangaluru Bicycle Club on Thursday, November 12 at police commissioner's office in city.

Addressing the media S Murugan said "Car-free day is celebrated in many countries. It is a regular practice for them. Very few motor vehicles are used at Infosys campus in Mysuru. The traffic situation is going to be chaotic in 5-10 years time from now. Mangaluru cannot be a pollution-free city unless people come forward to support this project. 'Car-free day' will be observed on every second Saturday of each month."

"All cannot give up vehicles for this cause, but many can contribute for the same. Though the police cannot move from one place to another without the help of the vehicles, we will do our best in supporting this project. This is a very good project and we have to think about our kids and have to give them good things, not poisonous environment." Murugan added.

Murugan remembered his childhood days by mentioning that bicycle was their main mode of transport and those were the good old days.

"By tying up with the Mangaluru traffic police department, the 'Car-free day' can run smoothly. Number of vehicles is going up every day in Mangaluru. People face lot of problems while going to office in their vehicles. By following this project, we can prevent air and environmental pollution. Every person must rest his or her motor vehicle for at least one day in a month." Murugan concluded.

Kishan Bangera, member of Mangaluru Bicycle Club said, "The concept of this project is not to promote cycling, but to reduce the traffic and pollution. There are people waiting to join this project. Mangaluru is becoming a smart city and if the bicycle track comes, then it will be very helpful."

Ganesh Nayak the owner of Jyothi Cycle Company and convener of Mangaluru Bicycle Club said, "Cyclists face lot of problems while riding. They do not have separate track and they are abused while riding on the road. We are also planning to hold awareness programmes in the educational institutions."

Sadashiva Rao, Donald Menezes and others were also present on this occasion.