Green riders face parking blues at Sukhna lake

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10

Sukhna Lake, a favourite destination of cycling enthusiasts, is sans a dedicated bicycle parking lot.

The UT Administration claims to have left no stone unturned to promote cycling, but nothing concrete has been done on developing parking lots for bicycles.

With gyms lying closed due to Covid-19, there has been a significant increase in the number of people taking to cycling to stay fit in the city.

Cyclists reach Sukhna Lake in large numbers. As they fail to find parking space, they chain their bicycles with grills, covering the entire pedestrian path near the entrance to the lake.

“Sukhna Lake is a major tourist spot. UT officials also ride bicycles here. However, the Administration has failed to provide a basic facility,” said Dr Mukesh, who loves cycling.

Though there is a small patch for parking bicycles, it is in a deplorable condition. UT Adviser Manoj Parida, whose love for Sukhna Lake is not hidden on social media, said the issue would be solved soon. “We will develop a cycle parking lot soon,” he said.

The Administration is keen on installing lights on cycle tracks from Sukhna Lake to Madhya Marg at a cost of Rs80 lakh and wants to lay a 180-km bicycle track in the city at an expenditure of Rs25 crore.

“Chandigarh Master Plan-2031 lays emphasis on making the city pedestrian and bicycle-friendly. There is lack of parking facility at present Haphazard parking of bicycles is a common scene at Sukhna Lake. Like parking lots for four-wheelers and two-wheelers, the Administration should develop bicycle parking lots,” said Nimish Malhotra, a city resident.

“We have to park our bicycles on the footpath at Sukhna Lake. It usually takes 30 to 45 minutes for a walk. Till then, the bicycles remain parked in the open,” said Deepti Makotia, a cycling enthusiast.