Citizens join hands to make Pune pollution-free

On Sunday, the S M Joshi Bridge witnessed the gathering of a group of citizens from doctors, cost acdcountants and industrialists to teachers and students. And what bound the motley group was the passion to put a bar on the alarming levels of pollution in the city. In a unique concept to tackle the issue, around 60 people from across the city came together to celebrate Sunday as a Green Day by voluntarily abstaining from using their private vehicles. The initiatives will henceforth see the first Sunday of each month being devoted to the activity of curbing carbon levels in the city.

Said Dilip Sarda, president , Pune Cycle Patisthan, who was part of the rally, "Right from students to senior citizesn, people from all age groups and walks of life participated in the rally ".

Participants have already made plans to involved their kith and kin in the project. Said Sanjeev Gawade, a fitness expert, "Many of us were riding on the city streets for the first time. And its not just about riding cycles, but we are also encouraging people to use public transport. The basic idea is to discourage the use of private vehicles". "A calendar has been designed that contains details about the route the rally will be following each month" said Sarda.

No Iraqi bombed this vehicle - Pune cyclist @ orkut" was a banner carried by a student showing the picture of a cycle.

Courtesy Pune Newsline, April 2, 2007