Following the success of the city’s first cycling track at Bandra-Kurla Complex, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is planning to set up a cycle track on one of its major projects, the Virar-Alibaug multimodal corridor.
The project is still in the conceptual stages, but the initial drawings show a cycle track along the edge on each side of the roadway. MMRDA officials said that the plans for the cycle track are yet to be finalized.
Transport experts feel that the MMRDA should do more groundwork before it sets up cycling lanes along with its other projects. A source said, “We have to build a climate which favours the use of cycles, which is easier said than done.”
Joint project director for the MMRDA, Dilip Kawathkar, said that they would be able to provide details only at a later date.
The cycle track at Bandra-Kurla Complex has been a boon for cycling enthusiasts in the city. The 13-km track is part of MMRDA’s drive to go green. The authority is also readying a series of green initiatives to encourage people to go in for green buildings. MMRDA’s additional metropolitan commissioner , S Srinivas, said they plan to start a ‘hire a bike’ scheme at the BKC as well. Through the scheme, a person can hire a bike and leave it at any stand within the complex. “We also will involve schools in the area in various cycling projects in the complex,” Srinivas said.
