Mumbai: BKC No Car Day cut peak-hour traffic by 30 per cent, says MMRDA chief Sanjay Mukherjee

Dr Sanjay Mukherjee walking to office. Pics/By Special Arrangement

As Mumbai's first voluntary "No Car Day" initiative in BKC got underway on Friday, Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Sanjay Mukherjee said the response from commuters, transport operators, and businesses had been encouraging, with preliminary observations indicating a reduction in traffic congestion during peak morning hours. In an interaction with mid-day, he spoke about the measures taken to improve public transport.

Excerpts from the interview.

What were the immediate steps taken to improve public transport access to BKC on Friday?
We saw contributions from all sides. Bus operators, including BEST and Cityflo, voluntarily increased the number of services. As always, BKC's footpaths offered a safe and unobstructed option for pedestrians who chose to walk to their offices. A few hotels also introduced special offers to encourage participation in the initiative, and we have heard that several more are planning to launch similar schemes from next Friday.

Dr Sanjay Mukherjee

How will MMRDA measure the success of the No Car Day initiative?
We have not set any specific parameters as such. This is not just another government regulation. It is a voluntary public initiative, and its success is completely in the hands of the public. Our role is simply to encourage.

That said, we observed nearly a 30 per cent dip in traffic congestion in BKC during the morning peak hours today, although the initiative may have been only one of several contributing factors. We are waiting for the first day to conclude, after which we will review the response and feedback from participants and seek to address any concerns accordingly.

Did you personally participate in the No Car Day initiative? If so, what mode of transport did you use to reach your office?
I walked to the office. In fact, not just today, I have always preferred walking, as my residence is within walking distance of the MMRDA headquarters. It is a great way to stay fit.

I had also requested my colleagues to join the initiative, and many of them did. Several travelled by train, Metro, and on foot. One of my fellow additional metropolitan commissioners took the Metro, while another walked all the way to the office.

However, I would like to reiterate that this initiative should not be about us. It is a green initiative in the public interest, and the focus should be on how each individual can contribute by participating.