Chennai: Implementation of cycle sharing system under Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) Policy in Chennai is all set to get off the ground soon. Thanks to smart city mission that helped to dust off the scheme files, which was kept laid for years.
The civic body had mandated bi-cycle sharing system in the NMT policy that was drafted in 2014. “Feasibility study on implementing the cycle sharing system has been given to a consultant in 2015. Now the detailed project report (DPR) is drafted and we are going to implement the scheme with the help of a private service provider,” a senior Chennai Corporation official said.
It is learnt that the scheme would be implemented with smart city funds.
Even though 378 cycle parking slots have been identified and a total of 4,976 bicycles have been considered in the feasibility study, it would be left to the service provider to increase the number of cycles and parking slots, the official added.
“Bi-cycles will cost us '5.97 crore and parking slots will cost '1.13 crore. With technology costs adding up, the project will be implemented at a cost of '9.49 crore,” the official explained. The fee to be collected from the users would be worked out after a thorough study, according to the official.
The Chennai Corporation is planned to launch cycle sharing slots near colleges, schools, metro rail stations, bus terminus, parks and other recreational areas, thus providing last mile connectivity.
The official added that the new proposal would be sent to Board of Chennai Smart City Limited and the cycle sharing system would be implemented after the board accords administrative sanction.
