Honourable Union Home Minister of India Mr. Amit Shah on 6th January 2020 laid the foundation stone of ‘Delhi Cycle Walk Plan’ at MB Road, Tughlakabad. The total length of the cycle track is 200 kms and is to be built at a cost of 550 crs, which the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will aim to complete by 2024. The Delhi Cycle Walk Plan shall become a safer and greener alternative that would reduce the vehicular load of the city roads.
Over the years, Delhi population has grown from 14 million in 2001 to 17 million in 2011 (national census data) and expected to cross 20 million by the next census study in 2021. Likewise, the number of vehicular population has also grown significantly, giving rise to air pollution, traffic and respiratory diseases.
Delhi Cycle Walk Plan will make mobility economical for Delhiites, fight pollution and also transform the city into the most walkable and cycle-friendly city.
“Delhi has 390 km of metro line, and the government plans to enhance its bus fleet to increase usage of public transportation. Delhi Cycle Walk Plan will be one of its kind in India, smart eco-friendly and safe infrastructure project for walking and cycling, and eventually help in last mile connectivity. Currently, around 1.1 million people commute on a cycle and with this project cycle ridership is expected to cross 5 million in the future. Delhi Cycle Walk Plan will also cut down pollution levels by 20% once the project is completed. People are concerned about fashion, safety and security hence cycle is looked down upon, but with this world class facility, trends will change and more people will commute on a cycle. The ambitious cycle track also promotes Prime Ministers ‘Fit India Movement’ campaign. For optimal benefits of cycle walk and pedestrian walk, we suggest formation of local cycle clubs to municipalities and local authorities in residential, commercial, educational areas etc.,” said Amit Shah.
This will be a dedicated corridor for the 86 lakh pedestrians and cyclists of Delhi. The Delhi Cycle Walk will connect all the master plan greens and make it a city of connected forests and lakes. The Cycle Walk will considerably reduce congestion on Delhi roads and will help in bringing down pollution levels in the city.
The origin and destination points have been mapped which are proposed to be interlinked to each other by the tracks for cycling and walking. It will be a loop around the city like a ring and connect metro stations, bus stands, high density residential areas, business districts, industrial areas, recreational centres and green areas.
The Delhi Cycle Walk will be a controlled track with defined and secured entrance points near residential areas and exit points near places of work, schools and so on. These points of entry will be called origin-destination plazas and will have facilities like toilets, cycle rental, parking and repair points, cafes among other facilities.
The project will have universal accessibility, rainwater harvesting chambers, parking spaces, solar lights and CCTV cameras every 100 metres with a centralized monitoring system. The forests which have been cut by roads will now be joined by building acre sunken lawns on both sides of the roads and then create a connection like an under a bridge. Cycle Walk tracks shall move seamlessly from one forest to another.
Phase 1 of cycle track will be of 36 kms:
- Nilgai line: From Badarpur to Malviya Nagar Metro Station – 20.5 kms
- Peacock line: From Malviya Nagar to Vasant Kunj Mall – 8.5 kms
- Bulbul Line: From Chirag Delhi to Nehru Palace and Iskcon temple – 7 kms
Source: DDA
