Must lend support to fuel-saving measures
The administrations’s “No Car Day”, observed every Wednesday, is a timely initiative and residents should also voluntarily leave their vehicles at home for atleast one day a week to support it. Petrol is a scarce resource and as fuel prices continue to rise, it will put more pressure on household budgets and the national economy. Since India spends large amounts of foreign exchange on fuel imports, conserving petrol can help save valuable resources needed for other important sectors and products that support overall growth and development. Reduced use of private vehicles will also lower traffic congestion and pollution, making the city cleaner and healthier. Citizens can further support this effort through car pooling, which not only saves fuel and travel costs but also encourages social bonding and a spirit of cooperation among people. Small lifestyle changes by individuals can collectively make a significant contribution towards energy conservation and responsible citizenship.
Harinder Singh Bhalla, Chandigarh
Need to be change we want to see in our city
Residents should voluntarily adopt “No Car Day" once a week as a commitment towards a greener and healthier Chandigarh. Small individual sacrifices today can create a cleaner, congestion-free city for future generations. Reducing private vehicle use will not only save fuel and lower pollution but also inspire a culture of responsible citizenship. A city’s progress is not measured by the number of cars on its roads, but by the quality of life it offers its people. Real transformation begins when citizens lead by example. If each resident contributes one day a week, Chandigarh can proudly emerge as a national model of sustainable urban living. Charity begins at home and we must be the change we expect to see in our city.
VINEET GANDHI, Chandigarh
Public transport must to ditch pvt vehicles
It is impossible for all residents to avoid using their own vehicles to commute within the Tricity even once a week due to a lack of adequate public transport. The 400 active CTU buses cannot accommodate residents travelling in 10 lakh cars and 20 lakh motorcycles. Atleast 5,000-10,000 active local buses are necessary for transporting residents if no private vehicles are to be used and fuel is to be saved. The UT Administration is 100% responsible for the absence of sufficient local bus services due to its monopoly in the sector. Local buses have not increased in the last 60 years, while cars have increased multifold.
Ashok Kumar Goel, Panchkula
Change demands work beyond political stunts
The Chandigarh Administration’s initiative can prove to be beneficial if implemented meaningfully. However, such measures often remain limited to paper and are used for social media posts to make political bosses and undiscerning citizens happy. Showing oneself travelling by cycle, bus or motorcycle, while having a bandwagon of security vehicles and video and photography teams amounts to no meaningful change and is pure “tamasha". Petrol and diesel cannot be saved like this. For actual savings, our politicians must behave like those of developed nations. Multiple road shows, convoys of vehicles and unwarranted security cover is draining the country’s fuel and taxpayers’ money. We need official daily buses for all employees and compulsory school buses for children to reduce fuel consumption.
Wg Cdr JS Minhas (retd), Mohali
Practical step since distances are short
We know that Chandigarh’s AQI has increased a lot over the last few years. We citizens have been using resources without thinking about the outcomes. I think that citizens should support the ‘No Car Day’ initiative since it can improve the air quality of our city. Moreover, it will help reduce traffic congestion and lower fuel consumption. In a planned city like Chandigarh, where distances can be covered easily, people can use public transports or bicycles, which are also provided by the government.
Anushka Rana, Chandigarh
Planned city’s infra makes shift possible
Residents should voluntarily adopt “No Car Day” once a week. Chandigarh was consciously designed as a planned city with a sector-based grid system, making short-distance travel far more accessible than in most Indian cities. Wide internal roads, interconnected sectors, dedicated cycle tracks and well-laid pedestrian pathways already provide the infrastructure needed for walking and cycling. Reducing the use of private vehicles even one day a week can significantly help conserve fuel, lower vehicular emissions and ease traffic congestion. At a time when air quality and urban sustainability are growing concerns, such civic participation can make a meaningful difference. Equally important are the social and personal benefits. Walking or cycling encourages healthier lifestyles, reduces stress and allows people to reconnect with their surroundings. It creates opportunities for greater community interaction and restores the simple joy of experiencing the city at a slower, more human pace.
Agampreet, Chandigarh
Alternative transport modes not available
The city’s poor public transport system will refrain residents from observing “No Car Day”. A large chunk of the population has to commute to nearby towns in lieu of work. Moreover, delivery workers, cabs, autos, school buses and taxis will continue to ply on the roads as usual, barely having a positive impact on fuel saving. Bicycles are rarely found at homes these days and only a handful of people actually use them to commute. Moreover, in the scorching heat, it is not a feasible idea to ditch private vehicles for cycles.
Abhilasha Gupta, Mohali
Small-scale adoption will help ut plan ahead
Ditching private vehicles for one day a week will actually save money for residents and fuel for the nation. Chandigarh was planned around cars. “No car” feels like a step back for many. But we don’t have to go full “no car”. We can try using cycle/e-scooter for less than 3-km trips to markets, parks and schools. Chandigarh’s cycle tracks are among India’s best. Sharing a ride with 1 neighbor/colleague can also help split fuel and parking costs. CTU runs special frequency on “No Car Day". The buses can be used for Sector 17/43 trips. This isn’t just about fuel. It’s a pressure test. When 10-15% cars stay off, UT gets new data: which roads clear up, which bus routes need more frequency, where cycle tracks fail. Ditch the car 1 day/week if your trips are short, predictable, or shareable. You’ll save fuel and allow the administration to rediscover the city so it can plan for the future. Don’t ditch your car if you have medical runs or night shifts — the goal is less fuel burn, not less convenience.
Kirpal Singh, Chandigarh
Must change own habits to improve our society
Residents should definitely support the idea of a “No Car Day” once a week. People often complain about traffic jams, pollution and rising fuel prices, but very few are willing to change their own habits. If every citizen avoids using private vehicles for just one day, the city can move towards cleaner air, smoother traffic and reduced fuel consumption. One small sacrifice from each person can lead to a big improvement for society. Instead of depending on cars for short distance travel, people should start walking, cycling or using public transport whenever possible Moreover, the administration must improve the public transport system so that residents feel encouraged to leave their vehicles at home even while travelling longer distances.
Sukhman Kaur, Kharar
Dedicated buses needed to facilitate adoption
The administration’s “No Car Day” initiative is an important step towards saving fuel and reducing pollution and traffic congestion. However, similar efforts have failed earlier due to lack of proper implementation and follow-up. If the administration is serious about the programme, it should become a part of the official calendar with dedicated buses for employees of Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Central Government offices in the Tricity. These buses should run on
fixed timings like school buses and encourage people to shift towards reliable public transport
systems. The city’s public transport system needs improvement. Buses should operate on proper
horizontal and vertical routes for quicker travel since people use private vehicles mainly to save
time. Parking pressure outside government offices can also be reduced through better public
transport. The administration should further promote cycle-rickshaws and e-carts within sectors to help
senior citizens, housewives and shoppers travel short distances in a convenient and eco-friendly manner.
NK JHINGAN, Chandigarh
Residents must rise to occasion & help admn
The administration’s initiative is a positive step towards creating a cleaner and greener city. However, its success depends on the support of the residents. Using private vehicles every day increases traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel wastage. If citizens avoid using cars for even one day a week, it can make a noticeable difference. People can choose public transport, carpooling, cycling, or walking for short distances. Such habits not only save fuel but also improve health and reduce stress caused by traffic jams. Many developed countries have already adopted similar practices to protect the environment. Chandigarh, known as “The City Beautiful,” can become an example for other cities if residents actively participate in this campaign. Although some people may find it inconvenient in the beginning, collective efforts can bring long-term benefits.
Dr Kumud Sachdeva, Dera Bassi
Ditching cars infeasible, gradual steps needed
Ditching private cars in pursuit of a “No Car Day" sounds environmentally appealing on paper. However, in a city like Chandigarh, amid professional commitments of thousands of residents and limited last-mile accessibility by public transport, it is hardly practical. Until the city develops a well-integrated public transport ecosystem, expecting citizens to voluntarily abandon their cars is more symbolic than sustainable. However, instead, the administration can explore more practical short-term fuel-saving alternatives, such as firstly encouraging ‘no single occupancy vehicle days’ rather than a complete ban on cars by promoting carpooling, especially among government employees, students and corporate offices. This can be done by providing dedicated economic incentives and subsidised or free CTU bus rides on selected days to motivate voluntary public transport usage. Secondly, introducing staggered office and school timings and synchronising traffic signals with stricter management of congestion hotspots to reduce peak-hour congestion and fuel wastage. Thirdly, expanding shaded pedestrian corridors and safer cycling lanes. Fourthly, running awareness campaigns on proper vehicle maintenance, tyre pressure and reduced idling to improve fuel efficiency. Environmental consciousness must go hand in hand with realistic, comfortable and efficient alternatives to citizens and merely restrictions cannot succeed in building sustainable urban mobility.
Vaibhav Goyal, Chandigarh
Admn campaign can transform civic habits
The residents of Chandigarh should voluntarily join the initiative of the Chandigarh Administration and transform it into a meaningful civic habit. Chandigarh has one of the highest per capita car ownership rates in the country. Consequently, enormous quantities of fuel are consumed annually, adding to pollution, traffic congestion and environmental degradation. If residents willingly avoid using private cars even for one or two days a week, the city can witness cleaner air, quieter roads and healthier surroundings. A car-free Chandigarh, even temporarily, would enhance the city’s natural beauty and encourage walking, cycling and public transport. Such voluntary discipline would set a remarkable example for other urban centres of India.
Vijay Katyal, Panchkula
Adoption will lead to healthier habits, city
Residents should try to avoid using their vehicles atleast one day a week. It may seem like a small step, but if many people participate, it can save a huge amount of fuel and reduce pollution. Cities today are facing serious traffic and environmental problems, and such initiatives encourage people to adopt public transport, carpooling, cycling or walking whenever possible. Moreover, a “No Car Day” is not just about saving fuel, it is about building responsible habits. It also gives people a chance to experience cleaner air, less noise and healthier lifestyles. Of course, emergencies and long
distance travel are exceptions, but for regular daily activities, citizens should cooperate with the administration.
Karman, Chandigarh
Effective measure to improve air quality
Ditching of private vehicles by residents would be highly beneficial for both their own and the city’s health. It will also serve as an effective tool for national fuel conservation. It would potentially save over $575 million in fuel costs and eliminate 2 million metric tons of CO2 annually. Furthermore, it will drastically improve urban air quality and thus, it will lead to a reduction in heart diseases, strain and stress.
Anita K Tandon, Mundi Kharar
last-mile connectivity vital for civic adoption
The UT Administration’s initiative of observing a “No Car Wednesday” deserves as much public support as possible. With rising pollution levels, traffic congestion and fuel consumption becoming serious urban concerns, such campaigns can encourage citizens to adopt sustainable habits. If residents voluntarily avoid using private cars one day a week and instead opt for public transport, cycling, walking or carpooling, it can significantly reduce vehicular emissions. More importantly, it will help create awareness about environmental responsibility and healthier lifestyles. However, for the campaign to succeed, the administration must also strengthen public transport, ensure better last-mile connectivity and provide safe cycling tracks. Without convenient alternatives, many residents may find it difficult to participate wholeheartedly.
SANJAY CHOPRA, Mohali
Adoption hinges on access to alternatives
Fuel is the lifeblood of modern civilisation. It serves as the world’s primary source of energy, powering transportation and enabling daily life to continue uninterrupted. “No Car Wednesday", if implemented systematically and supported by residents, has significant potential for saving this resource and providing environmental and health benefits. Carpooling and increased accesibility to public transport will also result in cost saving, reducing wear and tear and improving safety for women. Effective alternatives provided by the government, including local buses, cycles and e-rickshaws, if improved and increased in number can give citizens access to safe public transport and support them in making the city a sustainable urban centre.
Charu Malhotra, Mohali
Citizens must follow in admn’s footsteps
Due to the Iran War, global oil supplies have reduced and crude prices have increased. India is facing acute shortage of foreign exchange and the USD is rising rapidly. In view of the fuel shock, the Chandigarh Administration has asked all its officers to curb the use of cars on Wednesdays and as responsible residents, we must follow suit. Those residing in societies and colonies should endeavour to carpool and use of e-vehicles should be encouraged.
NPS Sohal, Chandigarh
Question for next week
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has grounded the Tribune flyover. What should UT build to ease congestion at Tribune Chowk instead?
Suggestions in not more than 150 words (with mug shots) can be sent to openhouse@tribunemail.com by Thursday (June 4).
