The ambitious Cycle Sharing project being initiated here in the State Capital under the flagship venture of Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited has hit a regulatory road block. Information coming in suggests that the cycles which were to be imported have stuck into some kind of custom clearance procedures. The ‘Green-Bike’ project is already running behind the schedule and was expected to kick start by mid-May.
“Reminder letter has been sent to the concerned company. The parts of the bicycles are being imported from Germany and Taiwan, hence, the project is getting delayed. As per the inputs received from the company, the consignment coming from Taiwan has received the custom clearance and will be delivered soon but the shipment from Germany is yet to reach India. The company has given the assurance to complete the assembling work of bicycles by October end,” said Ranchi Smart City Corporation limited PRO Amit Kumar.
The project being initiated with a purpose of promoting eco-friendly transportation mode apart giving respite to city residents from regular traffic jam is hanging in the balance for quite some time.
No officials engaged in the project could clarify the exact status as on when the consignment of bicycle parts will reach Ranchi as per the agreement made with the concerned firm. Playing the same old broken record, the officials just stated that attempts are being made to bring the parts of customised bicycle soon.
Notably, State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) had signed an agreement with Ahmedabad-based Transport Company ‘Chartered Speed’ for starting this much awaited venture. ‘Chartered Speed’ who recently partnered with Germany-based bicycle rental startup ‘Next-bike’ will launch this project here in the State Capital covering major routes.
In August 2017, the State Cabinet had approved the proposal of starting the bicycle sharing project on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Mode. The construction work of bicycle docks was initiated in May 2018. Out of 122 identified spots for construction of bi-cycle docks, civil construction work of nearly 60 docks has been completed. Over 23 bicycles docks are under construction at various places of Ranchi.
According to the PRO, the Cycle Sharing Project is expected to start with 600 cycles in the first phase covering nearly 60 bicycle docks. However, when asked when the service will be formally inaugurated, he merely stated that attempts will be made to start the service before State Foundation Day. “Only after the formal review about its status, inauguration dates will be announced,” Kumar said.
The bicycle docks are constructed covering localities like Kanke Road, Morhabadi, Radium Road, Kutchery Chowk, MG Marg including Big Bazaar. The project involves a whopping Rs. 21.8 crore. Rental charges, security, membership cost including its annual maintenance cost for availing this service are also yet to be disclosed by the officials.