New Delhi, October 4.The Inner Circle of Connaught Place came alive with energy, enthusiasm and community participation as Raahgiri Day, in collaboration with Sundays on Cycle, was organised today in early morning, transforming the iconic city space into a vibrant people-centric public realm.
The event was organised with the participation of various government and partner organisations, promoted the vision of active, healthy, inclusive and sustainable urban living, encouraging citizens to reclaim public spaces for walking, cycling, fitness, recreation and community interaction.
To mark the inauguration of Raahgiri event, a cycle rally was flagged off by Delhi Cabinet Minister, Shri Ashish Sood, Chairman NDMC, Shri Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and Special Commissioner of Delhi Police (Traffic), Shri Ajay Chaudhary along with Co-founder Raahgiri Foundation Ms Sarika Panda Bhatt.
On the occasion of this event, Delhi Cabinet Minister, Shri Ashish Sood said that Raahgiri is not merely an initiative for individual fitness; it is a celebration of the health and well-being of Delhi as a whole. By making Connaught Place vehicle-free and creating space for activities such as cycling, yoga, zumba, skating, badminton, tug-of-war and musical performances. Raahgiri provides citizens with an opportunity every Sunday to reclaim public spaces for walking, cycling and healthy community activities. Cycling is a powerful means of protecting the environment, as it not only contributes to reducing air pollution but also promotes physical fitness and a healthier lifestyle. Delhi Government is making every effort to develop dedicated cycling tracks across the city and is also implementing various measures under the Electric Vehicle Policy to curb air pollution and promote cleaner mobility.
NDMC Chairman, Shri Manoj Kumar Dwivedi said that hosting Raahgiri at Connaught Place sends a strong and positive message for a cleaner and pollution-free Delhi. Through their enthusiastic participation in cycling, fitness and other activities, the youth are inspiring the entire city to adopt healthier and more sustainable modes of mobility. The collective participation of our young citizens also demonstrates the power of youth in uniting Delhi against pollution. Raahgiri represents a meaningful change in the way we look at our public spaces, while reinforcing the importance of environmental protection, safer roads and the rights and safety of cyclists and pedestrians. It is a movement towards a healthier, safer and more sustainable Delhi.
Special Commissioner of Delhi Police (Traffic), Shri Ajay Chaudhary said that Raahgiri is an important platform to promote responsible road behaviour and create greater awareness about traffic safety among citizens. “I appeal to all Delhiites to strictly follow traffic rules, as responsible driving not only reduces the risk to one’s own life but also makes our roads safer for everyone. Practices such as triple riding and driving on the wrong side of the road must be avoided and discontinued immediately. At the same time, controlling pollution requires collective as well as individual responsibility. Each one of us must contribute through responsible mobility choices and personal efforts to help maintain Delhi’s Air Quality Index at a healthier and more sustainable level.”
Themed around the message “Roads are beautiful when they belong to people”, the event witnessed citizens of different age groups coming together to enjoy a wide range of activities in a safe and lively environment.
The programme featured cycling, badminton, cricket, yoga, Zumba, fitness activities, folk dance, puppet shows, chalk art, games and a fitness zone, along with stalls and other interactive engagements. The activities provided an opportunity for children, youth, senior citizens and families to participate together and experience the joy of active public spaces.
Adding a vibrant musical dimension to the festivities, the popular Euphoria Band enthralled the young participants at the Raahgiri event with its energetic live performance at Central Park, Connaught Place. The band’s lively music created an electrifying atmosphere with youngsters enthusiastically singing, dancing and enjoying the rhythmic performances. The musical presentation further enhanced the spirit of the event, blending fitness, recreation, music and community participation into a memorable celebration of active and vibrant public spaces.
The Raahgiri Day–Sundays on Cycle initiative also highlighted the importance of adopting healthier and more sustainable modes of mobility. By temporarily creating a space free from the usual dominance of vehicular traffic, the programme encouraged people to walk, cycle, exercise and socialise while experiencing Connaught Place from a different perspective.
A special emphasis was placed on cycling and walking as accessible, environment-friendly and healthy modes of mobility. The event also promoted the broader vision of creating streets and public spaces that are welcoming to pedestrians, cyclists, children and communities.
The initiative brought together a diverse network of government and civil society partners, including the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Department of Urban Development, Government of NCT of Delhi, Fit India, Delhi Police, DDA along with NDMC and other supporting organisations, along with Raahgiri Foundation, Nagarro Foundation, International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), GuruJal, Walk21, Walk21 Regional Dialogues and BYCS India Foundation.
The vibrant participation and variety of activities reflected the growing public interest in active lifestyles, non-motorised mobility and people-oriented urban spaces. The event also demonstrated how major public areas can be used creatively to promote health, recreation, social interaction and environmental consciousness.
The successful conduct of the programme reinforced the message that streets are not merely corridors for traffic but valuable public spaces that can foster healthier communities, stronger social connections and a more sustainable urban future.
The organisers expressed appreciation to all participating citizens, volunteers, partner organisations and agencies for contributing to the successful and spirited conduct of the event.
