Delhi: URJA demands Delhi to be made 'liveable, breathable and commutable’

New Delhi: Ahead of the Municipal Corporation Elections of Delhi to be held in December, 2022, the United Residents Joint Action (URJA) of Delhi, a consortium of more than 2500 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the capital, on November 15, 2022, released a 'People’s Manifesto' for Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). In this manifesto, URJA demanded clear commitment from political parties in their election manifestos on various issues including sustainable mobility to make Delhi liveable, breathable and commutable.

URJA, in collaboration with Jhatkaa.org, a digital campaigning organisation, has launched an online citizen signatures petition called #VoteforTransport. The petition focuses on demanding for a robust public transport and non-motorised transport infrastructure in Delhi. The petition places emphasis on MCD’s role in making roads conducive to walking and cycling for all age groups and people with special needs. According to URJA, at present, the road infrastructure of Delhi discourages people from making short-distance trips by walking or non-motorised transport. The online petition has garnered over 6500 signatures from the citizens of Delhi till now.

Members of URJA & Jhatkaa.org over the last week met representatives of political parties who are incharge of the upcoming elections to present the People’s Manifesto and #VoteforTransport petition and got a positive response.

“Promoting non-motorized and public transport is important to control air pollution from transport that contributes as much as 40% from within Delhi. Citizens expect a proactive approach from elected representatives of MCD to support a development that reduces car ownership and vehicular congestion”, says Atul Goyal, President, URJA on the importance of #VoteforTransport petition.

“Issues like commuter-friendly cycling tracks, waste and encroachment-free footpaths are important to Delhi citizens and could be taken care of if MCD works in the right direction. Our goal is to take citizen’s demands to the parties and get them to commit before they start campaigning for votes” says Rashmi Mishra, Senior Campaigner of Jhatkaa.org highlighting the need for this engagement.