`Stop traffic or fleet review's sunk'

`Stop traffic or fleet review's sunk'
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

December 18: If the Navy has its way, then Mumbai may witness the rare sight of traffic-free roads and pollution-free air for four days in February 2001 when over 80 ships will be showcased at the Gateway of India for the International Fleet Review. Hectic preparations are presently underway at the Western Command Head-Quarters of the Indian Navy to create public awareness for promoting the `Clean Air Campaign' during the International Fleet Review (IFR) from February 15 to 19.

``The air has to be clear in order to fully appreciate the fleet review in the Arabian Sea. Otherwise, the smog caused by pollution will ruin the view of the ships,'' remarks Captain Raj Mohindra, president of The Navy Foundation Bombay Charter. He has just begun the Clean Air Campaign, at the request of Vice Admiral Madhvendra Singh.

``The primary cause of poor visibility is polluted air and we, as citizens, are responsible for it. Only if we cooperate can good visiblility be assured, and thus I have proposed the Clean Air Campaign to the chief minister,'' states the vice admiral in a letter to Capt Mohindra.

Apart from the fleet review, another grand attraction of IFR will be the International City Parade, which will include a majestic flypast of 70 fighter planes and helicopters over Marine Drive. For this purpose, the Navy had also asked the BMC to spruce up Marine Drive, and asked the residents association of the Queen's Necklace to keep their buildings clean as well.

A primary task for this purpose, according to Capt Mohindra, is to request citizens not to bring their motor vehicles on the roads during IFR. ``The smoke emission of cars and rickshaws are the main cause of air pollution. So if residents keep their cars at home for these five days, much smog can be reduced,'' explains the retired captain. He added that in the worst case scenario, if the visibility is very poor, then the flypast itself may have to be cancelled. This has been confirmed by the vice admiral.

Though the campaign has already been launched, it will start gaining momentum by December end, in order to be fully geared for the big IFR show in February. Already, 30 foreign delegates have come to Mumbai to finalise the IFR details. ``The world is a family, the sea makes it so,'' states Captain Rajinder Singh of the IFR Cell, while introducing the motto of this mega-event, which is `Bridges of Friendship' to the delegates last week.

The deputy commissioner of police, Zone 1, and the Director of Tourism in Mumbai also briefed the delegates on their respective organisations and offered all assistance.