Nine recreational cycling trails are set to be developed in the city and the suburbs.
According to a draft final report of Comprehensive Mobility Plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area, the work on recreational cycling trails will be taken up along 237.5 km in the city and suburbs covering various scenic and historically important landmarks.
“Comprehensive Mobility Plan identifies the need for 17,000 bicycles at 205 docking stations at 15 major interchanges and 190 public transit stations in Chennai and its suburbs,” said an official.
Most of the recreational cycling trails will be along waterbodies, beaches and in the vicinity of heritage buildings.
One of the recreational cycling trails will cover a length of 29 km along OMR and ECR. At least 30 km of another recreational cycling trail will be developed from Velachery MRTS to Ottiambakkam quarry.
The CMDA has proposed to develop a scenic road along Chembarambakkam Lake and develop a recreational cycling trail from Porur junction to the lake covering a length of 32 km. The road is likely to have a width of more than 60 feet and also permit construction of multi storied buildings on the landward side. “Such recreational cycling trails are likely to attract tourists,” said an official.
A recreational cycling trail from Padi to Puzhal lake, linking Padi flyover, will also be developed along a length of 35 km. The longest recreational cycling trail in the Chennai Metropolitan Area will be developed along the stretch from Padi to Sholavaram lake for a length of 48 km.
The trail along the Pallikaranai marsh will be developed along a 21-km stretch, connecting Madhya Kailash with the wetland, which will be eco-restored soon.
Link to facilities
Madhya Kailash would also be linked with Besant Nagar beach by developing a recreational cycling trail of 10.1 km length. The trail covering 10 km, connecting Koyambedu with Anna Nagar Tower Park, will link shopping malls, commercial areas, parks and transit hubs.
Anna University will also have a recreational cycling trail covering 21 km, linking the educational institution with Marina beach.