Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 12: Corporator AC Vinayaraj, opposition leader at Mangaluru City Corporation, said that the proposed bicycle lane project under Smart City is unscientific and urged to make changes in the same.

Addressing the media here on Monday, July 12, he said, “A 12 km bicycle lane is planned in Mangaluru under Smart City project in two phases at different locations. Rs 8 crore has been released for the same and the routes have been identified. MLA Vedavyas Kamath is acting like a dictator and planning to earn commission through this unscientific project."

“Money is being spent without any plans. Mangaluru is a business centre in and around the three-kilometre radius of Hampankatta, unfortunately, in the name of development, several roads have been dug which is troubling shopkeepers in that region."

“If a bicycle lane has to be made, it has to be a dedicated one like the one in Bengaluru. According to the routes identified, the roads there are narrow and if a three-meter wide bicycle lane is constructed, then the existing roads will become narrower. There is no guarantee that vehicles will not enter the lane which will pose danger for cyclists.

“The roads in Mangaluru should be widened and underground drainage work also has to be completed. It is impossible to construct a bicycle lane on the existing road.

“The tender has been given to those who have no experience in the work. The person who has received the tender is a close aide of MLA Vedavyas Kamath and there is a scent of corruption in this project. Congress will not allow anyone to loot the taxpayers' money. We have written a letter to the chief secretary, directorate of urban land transport and MD of the Smart City project to withdraw the project and come up with a new plan looking at a feasible area and also asked that there be certain changes made in the plan,” he said.