Pedal march: 10,000 cycles, 600 stations

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 23

With 10,000 cycles and 600 stations, Chandigarh Smart City Limited (CSCL) plans to promote cycling in the city in a big way. The CSCL had invited expression of interest for the purpose in which two companies have already shown interest.

MC Commissioner B Purushartha, CEO of the CSCL, said the promotion of cycling was an important part of Smart City and soon they would finalise a firm.

Earlier, the companies were required to submit their proposal by February 22, but now the date has been extended till March 15.  

The CSCL is planning   to introduce the public bicycle-sharing system in the city, having a population of 10.54 lakh (as per the 2011 census) and  an area of 114 sq km. The system will include bicycle parking, design guidelines and a proposal for a citywide bicycle-sharing system with approximately 10,000 bicycles and 600 stations. 

A senior official, who is part of the Smart City team, said they were looking for companies which had prior experience in setting up and operating at least one such bicycle-sharing system with 500 bicycles for a minimum of three years. 

New cycle tracks

At present, the UT engineering wing is constructing new cycle tracks. The repair of these tracks is the responsibility of the MC Engineering Department. 

Cycle-friendly roundabout

Recently, the UT Administration made the city’s first cycle-friendly roundabout in Sector 26. The Engineering Department of the UT Administration constructed the cycle track with an aim to provide different routes to cyclists so that they did not require to cross the roundabout with other vehicles.