Don't be surprised if you fail to find a cycle track along the BRTS route, which was built at a cost of crores of rupees. Because, a large section of the cycle track which is reserved exclusively for cyclists, has been taken over by encroachments. Worse, authorities are passing the buck regarding who will clear the track.
The city's BRTS project is handled by Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd (AJL), and, according to their officials, it is the responsibility of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's estate department to clear the cycle track. When asked about their role, AMC's estate department expressed their inability to remove the cars parked there, as it requires special trucks.
"We can issue notices to the dealers, but it will be difficult to remove the cars. It can be done by traffic police easily and ideally it should be done by them," said Rajesh Patel, deputy estate officer of west zone.
The cycle track was laid on both sides of the road on the BRTS route and it was clearly demarcated by signboards. But the majority of the stretch from Akhbarnagar to Ranip is hardly usable for cycle owners.
Near Naranpura, most of the cycle track has been illegally 'captured' by dealers of used cars. At regular distances, one can find 5 to 15 cars parked illegally here. The remaining space is regularly used by auto-rickshaw owners and other vehicles, leaving no space for cyclists.
Near Vyas Wadi, residents and customers of a shopping complex park their vehicles on the cycle track, rather than at the parking space provided just near to it. Raju Patel, a shop owner, vented his anger on the public for not following the norms. "Even if they are given space, people park on the track. Neither the BRTS authority nor the traffic police is stopping such people," said Patel, who also thinks that even the common man is not aware about the existence of the cycle track.
However, there are many potential users of the cycle track, as the whole area is bustling with schools and tuition classes. Most of the kids use the road to reach their destination on cycle. But, since the track is now filled with illegal encroachment, they have to ride on the road, rather than the track. "I know about the cycle track, but we cannot use it due to other parked vehicles, so we have to use the main road," said Chintan, a 7th standard student.
According to experts, there must be no tolerance for such encroachments. "There should be a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to illegal parking on footpaths and cycle tracks throughout the city. Good co-ordination among all government agencies is essential" said Shreya Gadepalli, regional director, Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP).
