Traffic-free Sundays a hit in Thoothukudi

Collector Sandeep Nanduri inaugurated the programme on the Beach road in the presence of Commissioner of Corporation, Alby John Varghese, and the Superintendent of Police, Murali Rambha. 

To ensure that people get fresh air in morning, vehicular traffic was blocked on a stretch of 3 km from Roache Park on the Beach road for two hours between 6 am and 8 am. However, the road was open for cycling and playing games. 

The Collector said that people should spend their leisure time and relax on the roads that are free of vehicles. There was an overwhelming response from people and the ‘Car Free Sunday’ would be a regular feature in the district on all Sundays for two hours, he added. 

During this period, police personnel would be engaged in creating road safety awareness while stressing on the need for wearing helmets. Further, the Collector said that to achieve the objective of ‘plastic-free Tamil Nadu’, the attendees would be advised to give up on using harmful plastics and go for green alternative.

Initially, 50 bicycles were offered by the Corporation authorities towards this programme and the Sports Department staff had organised games such as volleyball, basketball and skating to keep the participant engaged, he said. Officials from various departments were also present at the gathering.