The Thane Municipal Corporation proposes to lay down cycling tracks across the city next year, under the integrated mobility plan of the city in order to encourage cycling as an alternative mode of transport.
THANE: It’s time to brush up your cycling skills, as the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) proposes to lay down cycling tracks across the city next year, under the integrated mobility plan of the city in order to encourage cycling as an alternative mode of transport.
Owing to the vehicular traffic and resultant pollution, TMC feels that cycling is the best way of commuting to close distance destinations. Around 3,50,000 vehicles registered in the city add to the pollution levels. “The idea of using cycles for commuting is common in European countries. We had submitted details of the cycling tracks project to the director of Urban Transport in Delhi a few months back. They had suggested a few changes in the development plan before starting the project. We have incorporated the changes and the project has been sent to the state government for its approval on Monday,” said KD Lala, city engineer, TMC.
The cycling tracks will be initiated from the service road in Anand Nagar in the south and run upto the service road in Majiwada junction in north. There will be integrated cycle tracks across the north-south path and the roads leading to the station. The plans are currently being studied by the consultancy firm Lee associates, which has been appointed to study the project.
The existing service road from Anand Nagar to Majiwada including the footpath is 15 metres wide and around 10.2 km in length. “The cycle tracks will not be more than 1.5 metres in width and the rest of the path can be used for lighter vehicles,” said Lala.
The TMC is yet to zero in on the security measures and parking spaces for the cycles.
“We haven’t given the security a thought, but we will make adequate provisions for it,” clarified Lala.
The success of the project will only be determined post its execution, as the only cycle track constructed along Wagle Estate three years back failed to persuade commuters.
Commenting on the failure, Lala said, “Since it was the only cycle track in the entire city, it failed to attract commuters. But now the tracks will be built across the city and definitely promote the cause.”
The cost of the project is yet to be estimated.
g_shubhangi@dnaindia.net
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