[sustran] Re: FW: COLOMBIA'S CAR FREE DAY

[kisan mehta]

Dear Paul and Sustran Colleagues,

Congratulations to the citizens of Colombia and
Bogota. We were very happy to learn on Colombia's
Car Free Day observed on 7 February 2002 in
Bogota where citizens took to public buses, cycles,
hiking, skating and of course walking leaving cars
behind. That the unusal rains could not dampen
citizens' willingness to sacrifice for improving the
environment is a sure proof of the people's
determination to protect the environment.

Trend the world over and more so in the developing
(poor) countries is for promoting motorisation. The
authorities construct more and more roads at the cost
and risk of the poor people. They are not worried
about the pollution and traffic hazards that motorised
traffic brings about,  Multilateral funding agencies help
in formulating traffic plans that give high priority to
personal motor cars and provide funds for developing
road infrastructure.  The World Bank has actively
helped the authorities to finalise Mumbai Urban
Transport Project for supporting motorisation which
will result in irreparable damage to the environment
and road fatalities killing pedestrians. Six lane roads
will have no pavements.  The Bank is slated to
provide about US $ 10 billion for the purpose in a
city of 12 million where 65% of  residents are
condemned to living in slums.  Mumbai has the
highest road fatalities rate in the world but this does
not concern the Bank.   When will our authorities take
lesson from the successful Bogota programmes for  protecting the environment
and providing safety on
roads?  Best wishes.

Priya Salvi and Kisan Mehta

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Barter <geobpa at nus.edu.sg>
To: <sustran-discuss at jca.apc.org>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2002 9:18 AM
Subject: [sustran] FW: COLOMBIA'S CAR FREE DAY


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Oscar Edmundo Diaz [mailto:diazoe at latino.net.co]
> Sent: Saturday, 9 February 2002 12:28 AM
> To: Undisclosed-Recipient:@mx1po.jaring.my;
> Subject: COLOMBIA'S CAR FREE DAY