The Rs2.59-crore cycle track project in Jayanagar, the pilot project which was supposed to be a model for other such initiatives in the city, is a failure for all practical reasons.
Motorists continue to park vehicles on the cycle tracks, ignoring the signs posts and traffic police. The traffic police are yet to issue a notification with regard to alternative parking lots for cars and bikes.
The track, announced in November last year, had aimed at providing a separate lane on existing roads for cyclists. The lane was supposed to encourage the use of cycles.
The stretch of 40 km from Kanakanapalya to Marenhalli road (South end) and from Kanakapura Road to Bannerghatta Road covers 56 junctions. However, car and bike owners have not given up their right over the road and have been parking on the cycle lanes. Considering that the demarcation of the roads was done at least two months ago, the fact that no parking has not been enforced in the area is surprising. “Where are we going to provide alternative parking for vehicles?” asked a police official, on the condition of anonymity. “Moreover, this is a 40 km stretch, enforcing it requires man power, which is not adequate,” he said.
However, patrons of the project are unwilling to give up. V Manjula, commissioner of Directorate of Urban Land Transport had recently written a letter to the police commissioner asking for alternative arrangements. The length of the project seems to be its biggest disadvantage. At 40 km, the traffic police have a momentous task of finding alternative parking and implementing the project in one go. But solutions are being looked at. Ashwin Mahesh, member of ABIDe, said:“The traffic police did have reservations, when such a large scheme was discussed with them and preferred that the project be done in phases.” To ensure that the project does not fail, the police are enforcing the project in phases. They are looking at maps of Jayanagar to identify areas, where the project can be implemented. “The idea is to identify stretches where the project will be easier to implement,” said Ashwin Mahesh.
