News: Gurgaon Residents Get Back Their Streets - Kudoos To Raahgiri Day-26/01/14

Starting November 10, 2013 – a unique programme has been launched by Gurgaon administration – “RAAHGIRI DAY” India’s first sustained car free day event in Gurgaon. This programme will be on organized on every Sunday.

Raahgiri Day Sets New Standards In Gurgaon

Gurgaon popularly known as India’s Millennium cityemerged as a major hub for the outsourcing businesses and MNCs. It also offers excellent career opportunities and an unmatched lifestyle. Its rapid growth has spurred a tremendous increase in vehicular traffic, and a lack of public transport, walking, and cycling paths have made pedestrian life very difficult in the city.

Gurgaon faces other challenges common in many Indian cities, including failing roads and pollution. Raahgiri Day is an effort to set new standards in the city, and to build a city with bicycle paths and pedestrian avenues through urban landscape.

Story Behind Gurgaon’s Raahgiri Day

Raahgiri Day is modeled after Ciclovía, an event that began in Bogotá, Colombia in 1976, which closes streets to cars and opens them for the special use of people for running, cycling, skating, or other leisure activities. Today, up to 2 million Bogotá residents from all walks of life still enjoy over 70 miles of car-free streets every Sunday. This concept has gone on to inspire several cities around the world to promote sustainable transport, and facilitate social integration while highlighting environmental issues.

“Raahgiri Day”,besides being the flag bearer of the unique Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) promotion initiative in India, will also be a street celebration of the Gurgaon community where both the rich and poor can share equitable road space.

Why Raahgiri On A Sunday?

Keeping public convenience in mind, Sunday has been chosen as the day of the event and a route has been mapped for the first month. With the support of the Traffic police, proper traffic diversions will be laid out so that the event does not restrict the routine movement of people in and around that area and can be enjoyed in accordance to its true spirit

What To Do On This Raahgiri Day?

·         Zumba, yoga and cross Fit by Reebok,

·         Cycle on Rent for free (ID cards required), 8am-12 noon, opposite Vyapar Kendra (behind TOI stage)

·         Skating, football, gully cricket, pitthoo and frisbee, from 7am to 12 noon at various locations on DLF-Galleria Road and Park                  Plaza Road

·         Football matches (can be played in two groups - parents/kids and open group) from 9am to 9:45am and from 10:45am to                    11:30am, and football skill competition from 10am to 10:30am, at Galleria Road

·         Traffic rules quiz by the Traffic Police, 10am onwards, opposite Vyapar Kendra (Traffic Police stall)

·         Gigs by Sattva - 9:00am-9:30am, God of Demons - 10am-10:30am, Heritage School's IMD 5 - 11am-11:30am, opposite                        Vyapar Kendra (TOI stage)

·         Musical performance by Galleria Market One World College of Music from 10am to 12pm, in front of Cafe Coffee Day