No Car Day 2024: Paving the Way for a Greener Indore
No Car Day provides a critical opportunity to experience the tangible benefits of cleaner air. It’s a powerful reminder of the steps we can all take toward a cleaner, healthier Indore | Source: Clean Air Catalyst
By Sudhir Gore, September 19, 2024
As a city known for its commitment to air quality improvement, cleanliness and sustainability, Indore is now embracing a broader environmental agenda through No Car Day.
On September 22, 2024, Indore will join cities across the globe in celebrating Car Free Day, a visionary initiative led by Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav and the Indore Municipal Corporation. This movement is part of a larger global effort to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and promote sustainable forms of transportation.
Mayor Bhargav, a strong advocate for No Car Day, emphasizing its significance for the city asserted, “Last year’s 'No Car Day' was a tremendous success demonstrating the power of community action. This year, I urge every citizen to join us again on September 22 to continue our journey toward a cleaner, healthier city.”
No Car Day is voluntary. Mayor Bhargav encourages all Indoreans to celebrate Car Free Day by choosing sustainable transportation options. He said, “Let’s build on this success and make Indore a model for environmental and traffic improvement. By reducing car usage and opting for alternatives like bicycles, e-rickshaws, and city buses, we can make a significant impact on air quality and traffic congestion. Together, we can make Indore not only cleaner but also more efficient in managing traffic. Let’s make September 22 a day to remember!”
“As we witness the direct impact of vehicle emissions on Indore’s air quality, initiatives like Car Free Day offer a vital opportunity for all of us to participate and explore alternate modes of transport and help reduce pollution. Cleaner air translates into better health and better quality of life for everyone. By participating, the citizens of Indore can take a meaningful step toward transforming our city into a model for sustainable urban living”
Why Go Car-Free?
World Car-Free Day, celebrated annually on September 22, offers an opportunity for citizens to experience the benefits of a day without cars. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) emphasizes that "the event highlights the numerous benefits of going car-free to citizens—including reduced air pollution and the promotion of walking and cycling in a safer environment."
Here are a few reasons why this day is so significant for Indore and its residents:
Cleaner Air for Everyone
Air pollution has become a leading public health crisis in India. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, 1.6 million deaths in India were linked to air pollution in 2019, with Madhya Pradesh contributing approximately 112,000 of these fatalities. In Indore, vehicle emissions play a significant role in outdoor air pollution, causing nearly 2,400 premature deaths annually and contributing to hundreds of new cases of childhood asthma.
By reducing vehicle use, Car Free Day offers a chance to lower harmful emissions and breathe cleaner air.
Addressing Traffic Congestion
Indore is home to over 2.1 million registered vehicles, with more than 1.6 million two-wheelers and over 338,000 cars contributing to daily traffic jams. On Car Free Day, the city will experience a brief but impactful reprieve from congestion, encouraging citizens to explore alternative transport options and easing the burden on city roads.
Healthier Lifestyles
Car Free Day is not just about avoiding cars—it’s also about embracing healthier alternatives. Walking or cycling to work or school boosts physical activity, which in turn helps reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular conditions. It’s an opportunity for people to enjoy the city while improving their well-being.
Reclaiming Public Spaces
Imagine the bustling streets of Indore suddenly free from the hum of traffic, transformed into open spaces for walking, cycling, and community gatherings. Car Free Day allows residents to reclaim public spaces, making city streets more peaceful and promoting community connections.
A Global Movement
World Car-Free Day began in the 1990s as a grassroots initiative and was formalized globally by the World Carfree Network in 2000. According to the network, "World Car-Free Day is the perfect time to take the heat off the planet and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking, and public transport, instead of the automobile." Indore’s participation is a step toward addressing the global challenge of over-reliance on cars.
Proven Benefits
In cities like Paris, the effects of Car Free Days have been dramatic. When Paris held its first journée sans voiture (day without cars) in 2015, the city saw a 40% reduction in exhaust emissions. Indore has a similar opportunity to showcase the tangible environmental and public health benefits that even a single car-free day can bring.
Leading by Example
Globally, air pollution claims 8.1 million lives every year, and one in four of those lives lost is an Indian citizen. Indore's participation in Car Free Day sends a powerful message: that its people are ready to take meaningful steps to protect the environment and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
“Car-free day serves as a compelling reminder of the significant environmental and health benefits that come from reduced vehicular emissions. It shows that improving air quality is about both long-term strategies and actions that send out strong signals, inspiring change and raising awareness to lower pollution and safeguard public health. Indore’s active participation in this global initiative highlights our shared commitment to building a city where clean air is the norm and not an exception.”
Environmental and Social Benefits
The advantages of going car-free extend beyond the obvious reduction in air pollution. Fewer vehicles on the road mean lower noise pollution, allowing residents to enjoy a quieter, less stressful environment. It also serves as a showcase for the benefits of alternative transportation methods such as walking, cycling, and public transport.
By promoting sustainable travel, Car Free Day encourages residents to rethink their transportation habits, helping to shape a cleaner, greener city in the long term.
Health Benefits of Car Free Day
The health impacts of reducing car usage are profound. Cleaner air means fewer respiratory issues and better lung health, especially for those who suffer from asthma and other respiratory conditions. Furthermore, engaging in active transportation like walking or cycling provides numerous physical health benefits, from improved cardiovascular fitness to lower risks of chronic diseases.
“Air pollution takes a heavy toll on the health of children and families in Indore, causing low birth weight, diabetes, heart and lung disease. These diseases are already high and we have to act to protect our health. Vehicles are a major source of air pollution in the city. Car free day allows us a glimpse into a future with alternate modes of transport, fewer cars, safe roads, lower pollution, better health and thriving communities.”
The No Car Day also contributes to mental well-being, as residents can experience less crowded, cleaner spaces, which can reduce anxiety and enhance mood.
How You Can Participate
On September 22, leave your car at home and explore Indore on foot, by bicycle, or by using the city's expanding public transport system. You can also join in community activities and enjoy car-free zones, helping set a precedent for a healthier, cleaner city. Together, the citizens of Indore can make No Car Day 2024 a landmark event, taking a bold step toward a future with cleaner air, better health, and more vibrant public spaces.
Glimpses of the No Car Day 2023, Indore
