Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Oct 17: The city is gearing up for the upcoming cycle4change rally. For developing exclusive bicycle lanes where only bicycles can tread, a project worth eight crore rupees has been prepared. The detailed project report (DPR) in this connection has been submitted to the Smart City Project.
The 12 km-long route that has been identified for being developed as a bicycle lane will have to be upgraded to make it fit for bicycle riding. At many places the surface at the road is uneven. Wherever the road-roller can reach, the lane will have to be levelled with the help of tar.
Representational image
In lanes where the road-rollers cannot enter, interlocks will have to be laid. Saucer drains will have to be fitted to ensure that water does not get stranded and damage the lanes. Cost of making the path, and display of boards at various points to show how long the lane lasts and where they go etc are included in the plan.
At a few places, bridges will have to be repaired or widened by even use of private land. Expenses which might be required to be spent to reconstruct compound walls of private properties has been included in the DPR.
Currently, major challenges the plan faces are at the central railway station here, as the planned bicycle lane passes through here. This road is currently being used by the people. But when laying the bicycle lane, the railways may create problems. Therefore, it is planned to hold discussions with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. Smart City general manager Arun Prabha says that the lane will move ahead smoothly if space is made available at the central railway station.
Not only the currently proposed bicycle lane, but even mention of bicycle lanes is also made in the riverfront plan in the city. There will be a bicycle docking station for the tourists which is to be built. The tourists can take the bicycles and move on the riverfront road lane, taking a view of the beach etc, if the project materialises.
Mangaluru Smart City has planned a cycle4change rally on November 1 in order to encourage the people to use bicycles for their routine work. The beginning point of the rally is Mangala Stadium. It moves through the main roads in the city for about eight km. Interested people can register themselves online.