City all set to have 23-km cycle track

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 16

A dedicated cycle track network spanning 23.2 km across the holy city, with an estimated cost of Rs 19.22 crore, will be constructed under the Smart City project.

Two kinds of tracks will be there under the project with ample road width. On narrow roads, epoxy paint marking will be there on the road surface to indicate cycling path.

According to Komal Mittal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Amritsar Smart City Ltd, this project will ensure equal distribution of space among the road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. This will provide a safe environment to cyclists and ensure a comprehensive and holistic city-wide network of cycle corridors.

In the first phase of the construction, dedicated cycle track network will be provided. Implementation and success of the project is based on the proper enforcement with the help of traffic police and administrative authorities, said Mittal.

The cycling track will be set up on the circular road alongside the walled city, Ranjit Avenue, Islamabad area, circular road, Maqbool road and the Mall road.

The main features of the track include linking of residential areas with educational institutes like Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) and Khalsa College, public parks, Gobindgarh fort. It will offer easy accessibility to cyclists.

For this, tender is expected to be floated by the end of December. Initially, a pilot project (2.5-km) will be set up in Ranjit Avenue. Experience gained from the track will be implemented in setting up the track in the rest of the city.