Gurgaonites to spread joy of walking in Delhi

GURGAON: Raahgiri has proved that sustainable mobility is possible even in an unplanned city like Gurgaon. And, with the event's success here, Gurgaonites have become proponents of non-motorized transport and are ready to spread the message in the capital.
Raahgiri, launched in the Millennium City in November last year, is a unique concept to free up a section of the city's roads from traffic once a week and open it up for citizens to walk, cycle, jog, skate, or, even dance.The Delhi leg of Raahgiri kicked off on July 5 near Khan Market and starting July 13, Raahgiri Day will be organized in Connaught Place's Inner Circle every Sunday. TOI has supported this event right from the beginning.
Shikha, a resident of Malibu Towne, is planning to visit Delhi Raahgiri and participate in the event - modelled on the weekly Cyclovia festival of Bogota in Colombia, now over three decades old. "It's an initiative of Gurgaon. I think that Gurgaonites always welcome innovative ideas and Raahgiri is one of them. Our participation in Delhi Raahgiri will help create a similar kind of atmosphere there too," she said. She also feels that Raahgiri could be an answer to the increasing mortality rate in Delhi due to air pollution. "It will be interesting to see how Delhi replicates the success of Gurgaon. But it is important that Delhites should also look at it as a social awareness campaign, rather than just a carnival," said Jasbir from Pedal Yatri.
He said a group of cyclists from Gurgaon will be going to Connaught Place in order to make people aware about the non-motorized transport.
Sheetal Sehgal, a resident of Palam Vihar, who is going to perform a street play at Delhi Raahgiri, hopes that her act, which highlights the importance of cycling, will be well received by people there. "People in Gurgaon respect theatre. We have put up two performances during Raahgiri in Gurgaon and we have got tremendous response," she said.
Recounting the impact of Raahgiri in Gurgaon, she said: "Raahgiri has helped to spread awareness about significance of non-motorized transport. Many people in my office now use bicycles, at least twice a week. I appreciate the way corporate sector in the city has come forward to make people aware about cycling. Delhi now needs the same enthusiasm."
Latika, one of the organizers, said Raahgiri is a kind of revolution: "It has brought a change in lifestyle of people. We are happy that Gurgaon has taken a lead and I am sure that Delhi will connect with it".
When asked about the challenges, another organizer, Prabhat said: "Open space is appreciated by everyone. My only worry is that weather is very hot and humid. But with time, the event will surely pick up."
However, not everyone is convinced that Raahgiri has achieved its goal yet. "Raahgiri is a good initiative. But if I had been a part of the organizing body, I would have ensured that the goal is first achieved in Gurgaon before taking the event to other cities. We should have made Gurgaon a model," said Sudhir, a resident of Sushant Lok I.