Doordarshan launches sustainable transport campaign

Kolkata: As roads in Indian cities are getting increasingly clogged with vehicular traffic, a campaign has been launched to promote walking, cycling and bus rides. [caption id=“attachment_1395919” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] Being run by the Doordarshan and the Union Ministry of Development, the campaign “Traffic? Ab bus karo” highlights how vehicular population is choking roads in cities, leaving hardly any room for walkers or cyclists. Actor Rahul Bose has joined the campaign which also focuses on how the public transport system is being neglected because of the car-centric approach adopted by cities while creating transport infrastructure. The name of the month-long campaign, running on DD news channel and social media platforms, is a pun to drive home the point that traffic should be reduced on the roads by promoting walking, cycling and bus journey, SM Khan, Director General of DD News, told PTI. Through videos, the TV campaign shows the example of Delhi where pedestrians and cyclists have to risk their lives while crossing roads and Kolkata where cycling has been banned from 174 major roads in the name of traffic jams. As a result of the ban on cycles on Kolkata roads, the labour class were worst hit. Stressing that the need of the hour is to promote cycles and eco-friendly modes of transport, one of the videos says that Kolkata seems to be moving in the opposite direction by promoting polluting vehicles. It is all praise for Maharashtra’s Nanded township where roads are made for people and not vehicles. After 2005, the roads were redesigned to make three lanes, one each for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. It took inspiration from the transport system in Netherlands and became a role model for all other Indian cities. Besides news bulletins, these stories are also being released on social media platforms and YouTube. In India around 140,000 people die in road accidents each year. Vehicles are also the biggest polluter as they contribute around 70 percent of air pollution in the country. The National Urban Transport Policy has advocated for giving priority to non-motorised forms of transport. At present, cars occupy around 90 percent of the road space while carrying only 10 percent of the passenger load. Every Saturday night, DD News has been telecasting an hour-long panel discussion on the issue anchored by actor Rahul Bose, who is also an independent activist. Each week of the campaign is centred on one of the following themes - building a case for sustainable transport, encouraging cycling, walking and use of public transport system. PTI