...Udyog Vihar, Mahavir Chowk among 4 business areas that may turn more cyclist-friendly in Gurugram

GURUGRAM: The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is considering the possibility of building cycle tracks along four key industrial and office stretches.

According to officials, the places under consideration are Shankar Chowk to Udyog Vihar, Dundahera to the Maruti plant, Palam Vihar to Old Delhi Road and Mahavir Chowk to Atul Kataria Chowk. During a traffic management meeting, the DCP (traffic) had tabled a proposal to explore the possibility of building these additional cycle tracks last month. Following the discussion, GMDA chief executive officer (CEO) Sudhir Rajpal directed an examination of the proposal and initiated further action to meet the requirement of cycle tracks in the industrial areas.“We are looking at the feasibility of constructing cycle tracks along these stretches. No final decision has been made regarding the matter yet,” said a senior GMDA official.

Presently, Gurgaon has four cycle tracks – GMDA office to Subhash Chowk, along Shankar road, between Rezang La Chowk and Bijwasan, and from Maharana Pratap Chowk to Atul Kataria Chowk. A fifth cycle track on Anath road is also under construction.

In addition, four more cycle tracks are already planned for the city – between Iffco Chowk and Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), along MG road, along SPR, and between Genpact Chowk and Faridabad road. It’s the maintenance of these tracks that are a concern area, though, for residents.

“The GMDA, apart from making cycle tracks, needs to figure out a way of maintaining them and ensuring they are used only for cycling. The existing cycle tracks in the city have issues like encroachment and open potholes. As a result, even though the tracks are there, cyclists move on the main carriageway of roads. Until the authorities figure out a solution to these problems, new cycle tracks will likely be unsuccessful in fulfilling their purpose,” said Saurabh Gupta, a resident of DLF Phase I.