JOIN USDDA cycle project yet to take shape
Even as the Delhi government wants to promote cycling for decongesting the capital and improving last-mile connectivity, the DDA’s first-of–its-kind cycle sharing project in Dwarka has not taken off yet.
The tender to install 300 cycle stations in an area of 65 kilometres in Dwarka in southwest Delhi was floated in 2014, following which the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) had signed a MoU with Centre for Green Mobility.
The project included having 300 cycle stations, each having 10-20 cycles so that the locals can get a cycle for Metro stations, bus stands, market areas, etc.
The main focus was to provide first and last mile connectivity, encourage people to opt for public transport, relieving congestion and in turn improving the city’s air quality.
However, while the project was to be completed by the end of 2015, till date, not even a single cycle station has come up in the area.
“The project is still in planning stage,” said D P Singh, Chief Engineer, DDA, in-charge of executing the projects in Dwarka.
He added that the engineering department has no knowledge of when the project will take off and is still with the planning department.
The installation of cycle stations in Dwarka was the first phase and the project was to be extended across the national capital.
The authority had earlier announced that it is planning to install over 1,300 more cycle stations by 2018, in three phases-- covering main arterial roads in West and South Delhi to ensure that more and more people use this facility.
While 300 stations in Dwarka were to come up in phase one, reportedly 400 stations each were planned for phase two and three and 500 were expected in phase four.
“The project encountered some problems. We are working on it,” said another official.
With the Delhi government finding radical ways of odd even scheme to tackle Delhi’s rising pollution, the completion of the project would have given an option to people to shun private vehicles and switch to public transport.