In order to promote cycling, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to create a special cycle track from National Sports Centre of India (NSCI) in Worli to Haji Ali. The cycle track will be open only from 6am to 9am every Sunday.
The track is likely to be thrown open for cycling enthusiasts by Diwali and it can also be used for jogging. Starting from NSCI on Lala Lajpatrai Road, the cycle track will end at Vatsalbai Desai Chowk near Haji Ali.
The proposed cycle track requires a few necessary traffic permissions and makeover of the footpath. This work will be completed in a month's time and it will be opened by Diwali," said a senior civic official.
According to a civic official, the sea side of the Lala Lajpatrai Road, opposite NSCI, will be used for the track. "We will put up barricades on the sea side of Lala Lajpatrai Road to cordon off some space for the track on every Sunday morning," said the official, adding that after 9am, the barricades will be removed for easy flow of traffic.
The reason for choosing the road for the proposed cycle track is its proximity to NSCI. "Several sportspersons use NSCI for practise, and many of them come on their bicycle. They can use the dedicated cycle track to reach the sports complex safely," said the official, adding, "We have chosen Sunday to create the cycle track as the sports complex receive maximum number of sportspersons that day."
In addition, the proposed cycle track will be the first of its kind that can be dismantled after use. "This is a pilot project and if we get good response, the same will be replicated in other areas," added the official.
During Diwali, the BMC has also planned to open the first phase of proposed cycle track along the 39-km long Tansa pipeline.
