Cycle track from Baiyappanahalli to RMZ Infinity to be ready in a month

A dedicated bicycle track between Baiyappanahalli Metro station to RMZ Infinity is all set to be a reality in one month.

This small project, taken up by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) as part of the Rs 140-crore signal-free corridor, has reached the final stage of its construction.  
The 1.5-km long track is coming up on the pavement instead of the road with adequate space for pedestrian movement.

With this, the track will not only be free from vehicle encroachment including two-wheelers, but also will be safer for bicycle users. They can also use the cycle track freely, avoiding the heavy traffic on Old Madras Road.

At present, the track between Baiyappanahalli Metro station and the police station is completed and RMZ Infinity to Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTICL) office hve been completed.

The design of the pedestrian pavement includes a cycle track that has red cobble stones and a footpath for pedestrians with white cobble stones. There is a special provision for rainwater harvesting.

However, in contrast to the new track, the pedestrian pavement on the other side of the road is in a poor condition. 

Basavaraj Kabade, Executive Engineer, Traffic Engineering Cell, BBMP said, “Almost 75% of the civil work is over and the contractors have promised to complete the remaining work within 30 days. There are similar proposals in places connecting Metro stations where the number of bicycle users is high. We will take it up in a phased manner,” he added.

Connecting tech parks
Cycle enthusiasts have also proposed dedicated bicycle tracks from Metro stations to major tech parks and nearby schools and colleges in the city.

H R Murali of ‘Namma Cycle’ said the civic authorities have shown interest to take up more stretches across the city.

“We have proposed dedicated bicycle track from Indiranagar and SV Road Metro Station connecting primary tech parks. We are coordinating with cycle enthusiasts and civic authorities on similar projects in places where there are educational institutes near a Metro station,” Murali said.

A section of commuters in Koramangala is pushing for such bicycle lanes between Ejipura junction to Domlur flyover, he added.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation spokesperson U A Vasanth Rao said, “Parking space will be provided for bicycles at all Metro stations. However, only foldable cycles that will pass through the scanning machine will be allowed inside the Metros. This is to avoid inconvenience to passengers travelling in the trains which usually running packed,” he added.
DH News Service