As New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) chairman Naresh Kumar on Friday announced a plan to provide bicycle for last mile connectivity to Connaught Place visitors many are questioning the feasibility of the scheme pointing out how come is it possible when there is no cycle track in CP.
Private bicycle companies have been invited with 25 per cent partnership.
Eighteen days are left to implement the vehicle free pilot project in inner circle of CP whereas the civic agency is not ready with a concrete plan and when asked about it that people are not accepting the very idea of car bandi, the chairman replied, “I believe in the law of inertia, with the acceptance of criticism, our team is working cohesively and with more vigour.”
Other senior NDMC officials are skeptical of the plan as they feel that it is quite impractical to make people aware and then encourage the CP visitors to use cycles. “Road engineering in CP area does not allow cycling,” said an officer on the condition of anonymity.
“Footfall in CP area is very high and especially during the weekends. On one side the movement of private vehicles will be banned whereas, eco-friendly buses, rickshaw and other special mode of transportations will ply on the roads. The issue is will they provide separate lanes to cyclists,” said an officer. “And who will ensure the safety of cyclists,” the official wondered.
“Areas like Shanti Path, lodi Colony, Tilak Marg , Safdarjung, Chankyapuri, Delhi University etc are having separate cycle tracks and the flow of traffic and traffic volume is entirely different in CP from these areas,” the official said.
“There is no single lane that can be said to be cycle friendly and cycling is difficult and risky when traffic is moving at greater speed. Separate cycle lanes are needed to protect cyclists as the cycles cannot be synchronised with the fast moving traffic,” said the official.
According to top NDMC officials, they will give 25 per cent share to private cycle companies. “The reason to give shares to private companies is to ensure the maintenance of cycles and tracks. “These cycles will be fitted with Global Positioning Systems (GPS)” he added.
This project was discussed on January 5 meeting of the NDMC officials, chaired by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu.