World Car-free Day Tomorrow
Encourage use of public vehicles to ease gridlock
Use of public vehicles needs to be encouraged instead of private cars to reduce traffic congestion on the streets in the capital, speakers at a press conference said yesterday.
Narrowing the footpaths and other steps are taken in the capital which basically encourages the wide use of private cars, they claimed.
Three organisations -- Citizens Rights Movement, Nirapad Development Foundation and Paribesh Bachao Andolan -- jointly organised the press conference ahead of World Car-free Day 2010 on September 22 at the National Press Club.
Citizens Right Movement's secretary general Tusher Rehman said the increased use of private cars in the capital can be controlled if the public vehicle service is made satisfactory and available.
He also said a single bus can carry as many passengers as of 30 private cars.
Speakers also stressed encouraging bicycle riding and walking in specific lanes which may help reduce emission of carbon and ensure healthy environment. They urged the government to observe the day formally.
The three organisations will arrange a public gathering at Shahbagh intersection in the capital on September 22 to mark the day and to make people aware about the negative impact of uncontrolled use of cars.
The World Carfree Day was first observed on September 22 in 1970 and in some European countries in 1999 and many countries across the world started observing the day formally from 2000.
Maruf Rahman, an advocacy officer of WBB Trust, presented a multimedia presentation highlighting the bad impact of frequent use of cars on the city streets while Poribesh Bachao Andolan's chairman Abu Naser Khan, acting president of Citizens Rights Movement Enayetur Rahim and Imrul Saeed Rana of Nirapad Development Foundation also spoke.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. 
Related News
Boy found dead in Ctg monastery
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Crime & Justice
Eid joy marred by tragedy
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Bangladesh
Sitakunda Blast: Who started the fire?
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Accidents & Fires
Railway’s east zone reels from manpower crisis
5 July 2022, 18:00 PM
Transport
Barred from rally at Suhrawardy, BNP to hold protest across country tomorrow
13 November 2016, 07:30 AM
Politics
Comments