World Car Free Day – Pollution & Congestion Free Kolkata

Survey Report presented on World Car Free Day with recommendations for authorities

22nd September, 2022: On the occasion of World Car Free Day, SwitchON Foundation in collaboration with Amity School of Architecture & Planning, Amity University Kolkata presented a cycle survey at a press conference held today at the Kolkata Press Club.

This was based on an initiative for ‘Cycle Priority Network’ for sustainable mobility. The survey was conducted in July, 2022 by 10 students of Amity University in support of the SwitchON Foundation, under the guidance of professors from Amity University and urban mobility experts from across India. This was done in reference to developing two alternate pathway for cyclists given the current cycling restrictions in Kolkata. The survey was conducted in July 2022 by ten student of Amity University in support of SwitchON Foundation The survey primarily focused on two major hot spots of Kolkata, 1. AJC Bose Road – Minto park, Mullick Bazaar-Nonapukur & 2. CR Avenue – MG Road, Girish Park, Shobhabazar, Shyambazaar.

West Bengal currently has the highest number of cyclists as well as users of public transportation, however as per Kolkata Traffic Police’s latest Notification issued, around 71 roads, lanes and thoroughfares have been banned for bi-cycles. 

Earlier in the morning of the ‘Car Free Day’which is celebrated internationally, cyclists, public transport and walking enthusiast from across the city from various locations took part in a cycling rally and gathered at the Priya Cinema Hall, where Hon’ble MMIC Shri Debashis Kumar was also present to encourage cycling in the city.

Present at the Press Conference, Prof. Siddhartha Koduru from the Amity University, had said “The survey was conducted by the young students of our university who took deep interest in capturing the current challenges and perception of the city cyclist, and it shows the new generation’s interest for more sustainable mode of mobility.” He further added “Cycling today globally is an extremely popular mode of mobility and is here to stay, not just due its immense environmental benefits but also due to the health benefits.”

Kolkata, in a recent global index recorded to be second most polluted city in the world^[1]. As the festive season approaches, there is increasing worry among environmentalists about increasing air pollution levels in the city, a significant part of which comes from the increasing number of motor vehicles in the city.

Satanjib Dutta, the Cycle Mayor of Kolkata during the occasion said “We have been engaging with the Kolkata Police on the restrictions on cycling where often poor livelihood cyclists who are completely dependent on bicycles are penalized due to the existing ban.“It makes more sense converting on-street parking into ‘pop-up’ bicycle lanes. These are created with bollards and are meant to test out the feasibility of cycling along the road.”

Mr. Suvendu Seth, transport expert as a part of panelist at the press conference, said “High-speed roads through the city and poor facilities for cyclists and pedestrians are already adversely affecting citizens. For a city like Kolkata where transport distances are short and more than 70% of the population resort to low-cost commuting options, incorporation of cycling and cycle promotive infrastructure presents a great alternative”. He further added “Kolkata must change to its own advantage by focusing more on NMT based infrastructure”.

Ms. Anuradha Pathak who regularly cycles to work was also part of the panelist said “Promotion of Cycling in the city, shall increase interactions between visitors, communities and local businesses, generating new and local income opportunities. Appropriate cycling infrastructure with proper integration with the public transport system will further add an aesthetic dimension to the urban landscape with pleasurable experiences for road users”

A cyclist who depends on his cycle said,“We are completely dependent on cycle for our daily commute to work as we cant afford expensive auto fare, beside it helps us to reach our destination quicker than other mode, however the current ban is taking a toll on our life due to the existing ban”

Speaking on the occasion, Vinay Jaju, MD, SwitchON Foundation said “We are really glad of this collaboration with Amity University for this survey, going forward we will working with various important stakeholders in city in popularizing cycling through two of our special initiative #CYCLE2_WORK encouraging cycling among professionals and #CYCLE4Work an initiative to support concerns of livelihood cyclist who are depended on it.” He further said “Kolkata needs to put a cap on number of cars to be registered annually and take off old cars from the roads. Kolkata must further strengthen it public transport network and build robust infrastructure to promote cycling and walking.

Top 4 problem faces by the cyclists:

1. Fear of speeding vehicle (154)
2. Fines imposed on the cyclists by Kolkata Police (91)
3. Overtaking by vehicles (bus, auto, car, etc) (87)
4. Lack of cycle parking infrastructure (77)

Way forward:

1. Proposing an alternate cycle friendly route
2. Introducing cycle lanes on some of the wider roads which has enough width to accommodate cycle lane
3. Removing bans in some of the roads in order to facilitate cyclists

4. Developing a cycle rental system, cycle friendly city tourism and other initiatives and raising awareness in different levels of the society

^[1]https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/high-pm2-5-count-makes-kolkata-2nd-most-polluted-city-in-world/articleshow/93625898.cms

Media Dossier

Contact: Vinay Jaju | M: +91 9331178105 | Email: VJ@SwitchON.org.in