BMC oozes confidence track will be a success

The fact that earlier attempts to facilitate cycle tracks in the city did not elicit desired results, the question is being raised whether this cycle track along the water pipeline will be successful.

A cycle track in Bandra-Kurla-Complex has become almost defunct as no one uses it for that purpose. The BMC had started an 11-km exclusive Sunday cycling track in South Mumbai starting at NCPA on Marine Drive and ending near Bandra-Worli Sea Link. However, the track was shut down due to reasons unspecified.

However, officials are gung-ho about the track along Tansa pipeline and say that it will be successful as this is integrated with the city’s mass transport systems like the suburban trains, the Metro and the main roads. “The cycle track will serve a dual purpose — first, it will connect to the mast transport system, and second, it will provide passive recreational spaces,” said a senior civic official.

Jitendra Gupta, a transport expert, said that there is need to change the mindset of people. “BMC develops cycle tracks, but how many of us use bicycles? Using a cycle has become outdated,” says Gupta.

Gupta believes that the hurdle for success of a cycle track is traffic on city roads. “It can be successful if the authority succeeds in convincing people that cycle tracks will cut their travel time and they will not get trapped in traffic,” said Gupta.