Not deterred by the tepid response to its cycle tracks at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has pushed for the same once again; this time in tourist spots.
The project to be named Greenway, would have cycle tracks on three roads, namely the proposed 129-km-long Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, the proposed Bhayandar-Ulhasnagar Ulhas river road and a stretch near Arnala beach in Virar.
The MMRDA said the cycle tracks would be a value addition as many of these areas were tourist destinations. The authority said the tracks would be planned in a manner so as to connect places with recreational value.
The proposal has been made in the draft regional plan of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) 2016-2036 prepared by the MMRDA.
“Certain roads have been identified along regional roads and city roads on the basis of their connection to tourist destinations or sites with recreational potential or because they serve as connectors to such areas. These will be developed as ‘greenways’, which would be provided with cycle tracks, special urban design guidelines and signage controls,” a the chapter on proposals stated.
In 2011, the MMRDA had inaugurated a 13-km-long cycle track in BKC; however, it was scrapped earlier this year after it received no response from the public and also part of the tracks was dismantled for building bus lanes in BKC.
However, activists have slammed the idea of more cycle tracks without taking cognisance of the fact if the riding culture exists in the area. “No doubt it is eco- friendly but a riding culture is something that needs to be developed before proposing cycle tracks. Also, such projects would require surplus infrastructure such as a parking slot,” said transport expert A.V. Shenoy.
Meanwhile, a senior MMRDA official from the planning division, said, “Location plays a very important role while proposing cycle tracks. BKC is not an ideal place for cycle tracks but the locations where we have proposed can be safely assumed as ideal locations for cycle tracks.”
