With the objective to reduce pollution and safeguard the environment, the State Government has decided to promote /encourage cycle-friendly transport to the citizens of major cities of Telangana.
The State Government is contemplating to make the best use of the Government of India (GoI) initiative of the “India Cycle4Change Challenge” (C4C Challenge) under the Smart Cities Mission by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.
Out of 95 cycle-friendly cities across India have registered for “India Cycle4Change Challenge” including 03 No. of cities from the State of Telangana namely, Hyderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar.
For implementing the ‘C4C Challenge’ in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Jurisdiction. The Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is providing all technical advice and guidance.
HUMTA and GHMC have jointly decided to implement the ‘C4C Challenge’ in the Khairatabad region (Central Zone). The concerned officers including HUMTA, GHMC, and Hyderabad Traffic Police are preparing the plans for cycle tracks and action plan in Khairatabad central zone.
In the Khairatabad area around 23km (46 km on both sides) covering 7 cycle tracks have been identified. Initially, 10km will be considered for implementation. Based on feedback and implementation challenges, other cycle tracks will be implemented accordingly. As part of the implementation of cycle tracks necessary signage’s, road marking, temporary barricading, and plug play bollards will be provided.
The Hyderabad Traffic police are extending all the support for the safety of cyclists to safeguard the environment.
Available spaces at HMRL stations, TSRTC terminals /depots, MMTS stations will be used for locating Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) Docks for the purpose of first and last-mile connectivity.
In the near future, it is proposed to implement cycle lanes in a phased manner for 450 km covering Cyberabad / HI-TEC City, Kukatpally, Dilsukhnagar, Charminar, Mehdipatnam, Financial district, Hyderabad Knowledge center, and Kokapet area.
The Experts believe that in the post-Covid – 19 scenario, short distance trips better catered by providing safe cycle lanes in cities like Hyderabad, Karimnagar, and Warangal cities.
The C4C Challenge initiative will be implemented in 2 stages; the first stage covers the planning of cycle tracks on a pilot basis, taking feedback, creating awareness in the public, etc., as decided by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India. The last date for the stage – 1 for the ‘C4C Challenge’ is 14th October 2020.
Based on the Pilot project intervention / Implementation, concept plans, and scale-up strategies submitted by 95 cities, the Government of India will shortlist 11 cities for taking forward to the stage-2 by 28th October 2020.
The shortlisted 11 cities will be awarded Rs. 1 Crore by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India.
The National and International experts will provide expertise and guidelines for the shortlisted 11 cities in C4C Challenge. The completion of the Stage – 2 Cycle network is expected by 31st May 2021.
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