Sheila urges people to use eco-friendly vehicles

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit led a rally of eco-friendly vehicles by driving a battery-operated car from her residence to Commonwealth Garden to mark the celebrations of World Environment Day here today.

The rally on 'Sustainable Transport', including around 100 enthusiastic cyclists belonging to all age groups, was flagged off by Commonwealth Games (CWG) mascot 'shera' from the headquarters building of the games which culminated at the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Commonwealth Garden.

Addressing a gathering of students and participants at the garden, the Chief Minister said considering the harms of petrol and diesel-run vehicles on environment, a day will come when there will be only eco-friendly transport on the roads all across the globe.

''I dedicate this day to battery-operated cars and urge people of Delhi to adopt and create demand for environment-friendly transportation,'' she stated.

The Energy and Resource`s Institute (TERI) Director General R K Pachauri, who was also present on the occasion, averred as this year's Environment theme says 'Many species. One Planet.

One Future', there is only one planet for all human beings and therefore it is for everybody to protect it.

Delhi Health Minister Kiran Walia said according to a recent survey, the national capital has turned out to be the greenest city of the world.

She said on this occasion there is a need to think as to what has been achieved and what more needs to be done in this regard.

CWG Deputy General V K Verma reiterated that he was committed to make the mega sports event a first ever green Commonwealth Games.

The Chief Minister also released the State Environment Report for Delhi, 2010 and an e-newsletter of the games.