Increase in number of users results in damages to ORR cycle track

HYDERABAD: The increase in footfall on the 23-km solar roof ORR cycle track has exposed its shoddy construction. There has been a considerable increase in the use of the track by cyclists over the last four weeks. This has led to damages in the form of cracks that have surfaced at the Vattinagulapally portion of the cycle track and at other places connecting Kokapet to Kolluru since a week.

While the crack stretching up to 50 feet at Vattinagulapally is right in the middle of the track’s flooring portion, they are comparatively smaller in length at other places.

It may be noted that the footfall began increasing in the third week of December, when police removed a tiny portion of the track. Many cyclists and people from different parts of the city have started patronising the track, including the cycling rental facility even in the wee hours as the place is illuminated at night and open round the clock.

Social media rumours were that the track was being dismantled and removed completely. In fact, some such videos even went viral. Some youngsters came up with instagram reels by cycling on the track. Structural engineering experts said that cracks appear due to various reasons, including use of poor construction material.

“The main causes for such failures are uneven settlement, poor construction, load-related stress and expansive clay subgrade,” said SP Anchuri, vice-president (south), Structural Engineers World Congress.

Meanwhile, concerned at the latest developments, many cyclists from the city are seeking a permanent solution.

“Although, HMDA has fixed 50 metres as an immediate remedy, I urge the government to come up with a permanent solution,” said Santhana Selvan, popularly known as the ‘bicycle mayor of Hyderabad’.

The cycle track was inaugurated last October and it was used by few cyclists and that too in the mornings. It is only in the last four weeks that the figure has risen to 400 cyclists. Thanks to the rental facility, the weekends see a turnout of 600 persons.

Meanwhile, originally intended to be used by employees of IT companies, it is now mostly used for fitness purposes.

Ironically, officials from Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) and the tracks’ contractor, who are vocal when heavy vehicles ram into the track, are maintaining silence despite the recent damage.

Repair work on a portion of the track was taken up by HGCL officials on Wednesday. Presently electricity generated by the solar panel is being used for its illumination at night and plans have not been finalised to use it for other HGCL projects or to sell power.