PMC pushes for pedal power

26 May,2010 09:17 AM IST |   |  Vivek Sabnis

Standing committee approves utilisation of funds from Rs 109.52 cr World Bank loan to lay cycle lanes in city


Standing committee approves utilisation of funds from Rs 109.52 cr World Bank loan to lay cycle lanes in city

Cycling enthusiasts, start oiling the joints of that bicycle you have not used in years because of the heavy traffic on city roads.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has given the green signal to using a loan of Rs 109.52 crore from the World Bank for cycle tracks and other non-motorised transport solutions. The scheme will be implemented on 33 roads.



"We are expecting the loan in a month," said Arivind Shinde, chairman of the Standing Committee.

Once known as a cycle city, the rampant increase in powered vehicles on roads over the past two decades eventually edged out the pedal-powered mode of commuting.

Shinde said the project report was prepared and submitted for the approval of the state government in December 2008.

For pedestrians

The project also includes eight underground subways for pedestrians near the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) routes between Hadapsar and Katraj.

"Pune was selected as a pilot city for the non-motorised transport project by the Union Urban Development Department.

The project also comes under the Sustainable Urban Transport Programme of World Bank and UNDP," Shinde said.

Other Proposals

OF the Rs 109.52 crore to come as a World Bank loan, the PMC is spending Rs 67.37 crore on 33 approach roads to BRTS at Shivneri road, Bibwewadi twin-road, Panchami Hotel Chowk and Shivarkar road.

A cycle stand will be created using Rs 3 crore on the Swargate BRTS and Swargate-Hadapsar routes.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
cycle lanes PMC BRTS Arivind Shinde