Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Smart City, which was adjudged the second best city in the country for promotion of cycling-friendly initiative by the Centre Wednesday, will receive `1crore central assistance.
Inaugurated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the first season of India Cycles4Change Challenge saw 107 smart cities from across the country. Out of the top 25 cities that were shortlisted earlier this year, the jury selected top 11 cities for creative ideas to boost cycling.
While Bengaluru was rated the best city, Bhubaneswar was positioned second. This was followed by Chandigarh (Punjab and Haryana), Kohima (Nagaland), Nagpur (Maharashtra), New Town Kolkata (West Bengal), Pimpri Chinchwad (Maharashtra), Rajkot, Surat, Vadodra (Gujarat) and Warangal (Telangana). All these cities will receive an award of `1 crore each to scale up their cycling initiatives in their respective cities.
“It is indeed special that Bhubaneswar has been considered as the second best in terms of promoting cycling. We are going to promote cycling events regularly across the city during the second season and also popularise the Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) initiative among the public to increase the ridership,’’ said CEO Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) Sanjay Kumar Singh.
The event was attended by officials from Central and state governments, and other stakeholders from all cities participating in India Cycles4Change Challenge. The event also marked the release of the first Challenge report, and an online exhibition showcasing cities’ cycling journey. The Ministry also announced the second season of the Challenge beginning in August 2021, wherein fresh applications will be invited from all smart cities, capital cities of states/UTs and all cities that have an established Municipal Corporations.
However, looking at the dwindling ridership in the city, experts are sceptical about the city’s achievement this time.
“The PBS under Mo Cycle scheme is in the doldrums. While riders are losing interest in cycling due to lack of dedicated tracks, the run-in between authorities and cycle agencies has made the situation worse,” said Sameer Mohanty, an urban planner here.
