By Sajila Saseendran www.khaleejtimes.com
Dubai’s Car Free Day initiative is likely to be extended to all the emirates with the Environment Minister supporting the idea to make it a national drive.
Responding to a query by Khaleej Times, Minister for Environment and Water Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad said he would support the idea of taking the initiative to the UAE level.
“There are other green initiatives taking place in other emirates as well. But this is a very good initiative that encourages people to leave cars and use mass transportation to reduce environmental pollution. I support the idea to take it to the national level.”
Earlier in the morning, ministers and top officials of government departments led thousands of Dubai residents in leaving their cars at home and taking public transport to work on Dubai Municipality’s fifth Car Free Day.
The Director General of Dubai Municipality Hussain Nasser Lootah was joined by senior officials of various departments in riding the Metro from the Etisalat station to the Union station next to the municipality’s headquarters.
Lootah said the aim of the day was to encourage people, especially those commuting between just two points — home and office — to use public transport to save the environment from pollution. More info
