Destination Fazilka: Car Free Zone 10 A.M. to 07 P.M. This town of less than one lakh people, with about 45000 vehicles running
on its lanes and by-lanes, has banned the entry of cars in the main market. Two-wheelers are currently exempted, but this too may change. Though shop keepers in the area initially opposed the ban on traffic – as they feared loss of customers – they have now come around. The Municipality also treaded carefully, as they feared protests.
Fazilkas’s story began when an initial stretch (of some three hundred meters) was converted into a pedestrian street. Without cars, there was lot of space on the roads for everyone; people were selling food and handicrafts from stalls, and people were even strolling on the streets without fear of being run over. Next year, the car free zone was extended upto a kilometer…
The approach of the Municipal Council was to free the most congested areas of the town (from traffic) first of all. The ultimate objective of the Municipal Council is to convert the town into a pedestrian city; with vehicles being used for goods transportation only.
As a result of decongestion, there is less pollution and the town’s air is cleaner. And the economic health of the town has not been affected either. Perhaps, what has really changed is that people have more time for themselves – without being troubled by the traffic - whether it is to shop, stroll or to eat food.
But what of the future? These initial steps will be followed up by yet other steps. There are plans to convert the entire market area into a shopping mall; but the long-term plans are to free the entire city from cars! Already, plans have been made for the next stretch to be converted – the Banking street or section.
Part of the planning is to promote cycle rickshaws – or eco cabs, as they are called. The cycle rickshaws are not only economical, but environmentally friendly as well. The cycle rickshaws even make house calls (from rickshaw stands that are strategically located across the city) to pick up customers! Best of all, the cycle rickshaws do not charge for the house calls.