The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started construction work of the second phase (part A) of the ambitious 36-kilometre-long cycle track along Tansa pipeline. Though there are several patches occupied by hutments, the officers are confident that work will be completed as per deadline. Part B of the second phase is yet to be cleared by the standing committee.
As per High Court directives, the civic body took action on encroachments near the pipeline and the cycle track is being constructed to ensure that the water pipeline is free from encroachment. As per "Green Wheels along the Blue Lines" — name of the project — a three-metre-wide cycle track with a three-metre-wide walkway on one side and a four-metre-wide service road on the other side will be constructed. The estimated cost of this project is nearly Rs 350 crore.
In the first phase, the BMC has undertaken construction of a 14-km-long cycle track from Mulund to Sahar Road at the cost of Rs 161 crore. The work started before monsoon at three points; Mulund, Andheri and Bhandup simultaneously. After getting a nod from the standing committee for funds worth Rs 137 crore for the second phase, construction work was started this week. "We did all the paperwork in monsoons as we couldn't start construction work back then. Now, digging, levelling, and construction has been undertaken," a BMC official said.
"The second phase covers construction of cycle and jogging tracks along the Tansa pipeline in areas like Ghatkopar, Chembur, Sewri-Parel and Bandra-Santacruz east and a service road of nearly 2.8 km. The work also includes planting of trees, gardens, illumination, retaining walls and stormwater drains," said Ashok Tawadia, the chief hydraulic engineer working on the project.
The cycle track will have 40 entry and exit points which will be connected to 10 Central Railway stations, five Western Railway stations, four Harbour line stations, seven Metro stations, two monorail stations, and a few arterial roads. The entire work is expected to be completed within 3 years.
