As a first step, seven cycling tracks measuring 46 km are to be developed in the Khairatabad zone, with tracks running up to 10 km coming up initially.
To promote and encourage the cycling culture, a network of cycling tracks will soon be crisscrossing the city and its outskirts.
As a first step, seven cycling tracks measuring 46 km are to be developed in the Khairatabad zone, with tracks running up to 10 km coming up initially.
Associated paraphernalia such as signages, road markings, temporary barricades and plug-play bollards will also dot the entire length.
The initiative which seeks to heavily promote cycling intends to see a total of 450 km of exclusive tracks running through the city, covering the IT corridors and stretching into the outskirts.
To be taken up in a phased manner, the initiative will cover Cyberabad, Hitec City, Kukatpally, Dilsukhnagar, Charminar, Mehdipatnam, the financial district, the Hyderabad Knowledge Centre and Kokapet.
The state government is implementing the project to benefit from the India Cycle4Change Challenge (C4C Challenge) initiative of the Smart Cities Mission of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Of the 95 cities from across the country that have registered for the challenge, three cities, Hyderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar, are from Telangana.
The Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) will provide technical advice and guidance for the effective implementation of the tracks in the GHMC.
In association with the city's traffic police, plans are being drawn up for the tracks in the Khairatabad central zone. The available spaces at the HMRL stations, the TSRTC terminals/depots and the MMTS stations are being proposed for the Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) docks that will extend first and last mile connectivity.
The C4C Challenge initiative will be implemented in two stages. The first stage will include coming up with the cycle tracks on a pilot basis, collecting feedback and creating awareness. The union government will then shortlist 11 cities to be taken to stage 2.
The shortlisted 11 cities are to be awarded Rs 1 crore each by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and the completion of the stage 2 is expected by May 2021.