Civic Mail Gachibowli / HITEC city

Hyderabad cyclists push for upgrades on struggling solar track

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GACHIBOWLI: Hyderabad Cyclists group have raised concerns about the newly built Hyderabad Cycling Track, emphasizing the need for further development to ensure its success.

Hyderabad’s Bicycle Mayor, Santhana Selvan, has taken to ‘X’ (formally Twitter) to urge the municipal administration and Hyderabad Municipal Development Authority (HMDA) to introduce Bicycle Rentals and Food Trucks at the hubs along the track.

Selvan emphasised the original vision of the track, designed not only for recreation and fitness promotion but also as a future commute route.

He highlighted the importance of rental cycles, stating that their availability will attract new riders to utilize the cycling track. Additionally, Selvan requested the Telangana Education department to bring school children to use the track during the day with the help of bicycle rentals.

However, the project recently faced challenges, as a portion of the solar roof cycle track at Janawada on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) was recently damaged in an accident on January 23, 2024, when a truck crashed into the track. Two vertical columns and four horizontal column beams were damaged, along with approximately 45 meters of roof sheets and 25-30 solar panels.

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A case has been registered with the Gachibowli police regarding the accident. The unique 23 km cycle track, spanning from Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy and from Kollur to Narsingi, is now grappling with the aftermath of this incident.

In another unexpected turn, concerns arise as a herd of buffaloes was spotted walking under the solar panels of the track, seeking shelter from the sunlight. This has raised worries among cyclists, with fears that the animals may leave droppings on the track, causing inconvenience.

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The Cycling community in Hyderabad is actively advocating for necessary improvements to address these issues and ensure the success of the much-anticipated solar cycling track.