Wait gets longer for ‘Cycle Sharing Project’ in Capital

The city residents will have to wait for some more time for availing the facility of bicycle service under the much waited ‘cycle sharing project’— one of the flagship ventures of the ‘Smart City’ plan.

During the inspections of sites, identified for constructing bicycle docks in April, the officials had assured to initiate the venture by May.

When contacted, the officials involved in the project, appeared clueless as to when the service will be formally inaugurated. The project being initiated with a purpose of promoting eco-friendly transportation mode besides, giving respite to city residents from ‘routine’ traffic jam has been lingering for quite some time now.

Despite starting the civil construction work (demarcation of bi-cycle docks at the identified spots) on scheduled time, no official engaged in the project could clarify the exact status as on when the consignment of bi-cycle fleet will reach Ranchi as per the agreement made with the concerned firm. The officials of Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited merely said that attempts are being made to start the project at the earliest while custom clearance procedure may consume some more time in starting the project.

“Earlier, in a phase wise manner, the project was supposed to be started but as of now the senior officials have decided to begin the project only after receiving the consignment of all 1,200 bicycles. No tentative date has been decided as to when the project will be started. At present, we are focusing on completing the civil construction work of remaining bi-cycle docks,” said Ranchi Smart City Corporation Limited, PRO, Amit Kumar.

Notably, State Urban Development Agency (SUDA) had signed an agreement with Ahmedabad-based Transport Company ‘Chartered Speed’ for starting this much awaited venture. ‘Chartered Speed’ who recently partnered with Germany-based bicycle rental startup ‘Next-bike’ is launching this project here in the State Capital.

The bicycle docks are being made in a few busiest localities which include Kanke Road, Morhabadi, Radium Road, Kutchery Chowk and MG Marg to Big Bazaar. The project involves whopping Rs. 21.8 crore. Rental charges, security, membership cost and other formalities for availing this service are yet to be disclosed by the officials.

Meanwhile, stating about the current status of ‘cycle sharing’ project, Kumar said, “Out of 122 identified spots for construction of bi-cycle docks, civil construction work of nearly 66 docks have been completed. Over 23 bi-cycle docks are under construction.” In August 2017, the State cabinet had approved the proposal of starting the bicycle sharing project on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Mode.