80 meters of solar roof removed for ramp on Hyderabad Cycling Track
Hyderabad: Cyclists in Hyderabad expressed concern after reports emerged on social media suggesting that the solar roof of the city’s cycling track was being removed. The news led to widespread speculation that the track itself was being dismantled.
Authorities have clarified that only an 80-meter section of the solar roof is being removed to facilitate the construction of a downramp between Nanakramguda and Narsingi. This ramp will improve traffic flow from Gachibowli. The removal of the roof will not affect the cycling track itself, which will remain intact.
Santhana Selvan, the Bicycle Mayor of Hyderabad, addressed the confusion while speaking with the Hyderabad Mail. “Only 80 meters of the solar roof is being removed. The track will remain continuous, and there is no reason for panic,” he said. Selvan also noted that their concern would be if future road widening projects impacted the track, but assured that the current work would not cause disruptions.
The Cyberabad Police Joint Commissioner also confirmed that the modification is part of the construction work aimed at improving traffic flow in the area, reiterating that only a small portion of the solar roof is being affected.
Hyderabad’s Solar Roof Cycling Track
The Hyderabad Solar Roof Cycling Track, a 23-kilometer project inaugurated during the previous government’s tenure, is India’s first solar-powered cycle track and the world’s second of its kind. The track is divided into two segments: the Pink Line, which stretches 8.5 kilometers from Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy, and the Blue Line, which covers 14.5 kilometers from Narsingi to Kollur.
The track features a solar roof that generates 16 megawatts of power, which is used to light streetlights along the route. The project is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with the solar panels expected to pay for themselves within six years.
The track also includes five access points equipped with parking, food stalls, repair stations, and other amenities. It operates 24/7, with CCTV surveillance providing added security.
The ₹100 crore project, a collaboration between the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL) and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), aims to promote cycling and sustainable transportation in the city.
𝐔𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐎𝐑𝐑
𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝: Hours after the video of dismantling of the solar roof cycling track alongside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) went viral on social media, sparking… pic.twitter.com/gu3SRuIH3p
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) December 17, 2024
