Manish Sisodia slams police for non-cooperation

The fourth car-free day in the national capital kicked off on a 6-km stretch in north Delhi with a cycle rally led by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, who accused the Delhi police of not making any effort to make the event a success. The AAP government started the car-free day initiative to curb vehicular pollution and encourage people to switch to public transport.

Mr Sisodia’s attack on the city police came as he noticed cars being allowed to ply on the “car-free stretch” between Vishwavidyalaya Metro station and the Chhatrasal Stadium. “I am seeing that cars are running on the car-free stretch. The police should shoulder some responsibility (to make the event a success). We are even ready to give you (the police) the credit for the success of odd-even (scheme). What will you get if this car-free day fails ... But if you think that by doing this, you would get satisfied... We will not have any objection then. It is our responsibility to make Delhi pollution-free,” Mr Sisodia said while addressing the public gathering.

The deputy chief minister said the police should also participate in such events and if the force gets an order to make the programme a “failure,” the police personnel should not obey the orders of their seniors.

City transport minister Gopal Rai said he got a letter from special commissioner (traffic) stating that volunteers will not be allowed to manage traffic during the car-free day. “We are happy that the police has told us that the volunteers will not be allowed to manage traffic. But, what will then be the sense of car-free day if cars are allowed on the car-free stretch ” Mr Rai asked.

He also said the AAP government will start a plantation drive across the national capital from the next car-free day to be held in South Delhi. Car-free days are held each month on the 22nd day.

Mr Sisodia said the AAP government has taken several steps to make the city pollution-free. The last car-free day was organised in Laxmi Nagar. Mr Rai alleged that the Delhi police did not allow plying of buses on the car-free stretch. He had taken up this matter with senior police officials and registered his objection.