Jamshedpur, Feb. 20: In a unique initiative to reduce vehicles and fuel consumption, 700 employees of Jusco today walked down 3km to their office and the utility company started a pool car system for employees to be in force every Saturday henceforth.

Terming Saturday a "No-Vehicle Day", 700 employees assembled at Sakchi roundabout from where they walked to their Northern Town office in Bistupur. They also went about their field work in pool cars, instead of using individual vehicles.

In the subsequent Saturdays, all the 1,400 Jusco employees, including 400 officials, will assemble at certain points in the city, where they would leave their vehicles and walk to office.

They would also use a fleet of 100 vehicles as pool cars.

Initiated by Jusco employees as a weekly move to reduce carbon monoxide emissions and fuel consumption in the industrial city, the initiative has impressed senior officials as well. For instance, Jusco general manager Captain Dhananjay Mishra sportingly abandoned his car for the day to walk 3km with his colleagues to office this morning.

Most employees take their two-wheelers or cars to office everyday.

Calling the No-Vehicle Day completely an initiative of employees, Jusco spokesman Rajesh Rajan said it had impressed everyone within the firm who heard the idea.

"The company had received a proposal from employees who live in Sakchi, Sitaramdera, Sidhgora, Agrico, Burmamines and Mango. They said they would reach a common landmark, Sakchi roundabout, and then walk to office every Saturday. They also said they would not use their vehicles for field-work. We accordingly arranged the pool cars to be used for more than one employees from our office in Bistupur," Rajan said,

"So, as 700 employees followed this today, the rest of them decided to follow suit next Saturday," he said. "We will have this as a weekly venture every Saturday," he added.

On the obvious advantages, he said it would help curb harmful emissions such as carbon monoxide besides conserving petrol and diesel and reducing traffic congestion during office hours.

Employees who took part in the initiative added they were thrilled.

"It was a unique experience today. I walked to the office after parking my bike at Sakchi. A little inconvenient, but worth it, as I felt proud of having contributed a bit to keep pollution levels low in my city," said a Jusco employee.

Deputy superintendent of police (traffic) Vivekanand Thakur called it an excellent idea that employees of other companies could also emulate.

"The city has over 4 lakh vehicles. So, if a person sacrifices even one ride a week, it is a welcome step and will help keep the city pollution-free and roads less congested. Good job!" said Thakur.