Populated road in Borivali gets a swanky cycle track

An area, which was one of the illegal encroachments and parking hub in Mumbai's Borivali area will soon get a new feature as a part of the new project announced by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As per the report published in the Hindustan Times, one of the populated roads in Borivali has been transformed into a  bicycle track the local corporation, and this development comes as a piece of good news both for the locals and fitness or health enthusiasts. The cost of the project undertaken by the BMC is said to be INR 17 lakh.

It is being said that commuters living in the vicinity of the PP Wamanroad Pai Marg or using the road frequently will benefit from this transformation. Several vehicles were using a portion of the road for parking vehicles illegally. Moreover, several concerns were also reported about the footpaths too as pedestrians were not able to use due to encroachment.

Considering the matter, the civic officials took immediate action on the same, and abandoned vehicles were removed from the area to develop the cycling track. The idea was to offer an urban space to citizens and as planned 360 metre stretch has been developed for cyclists, which is also 2-metre wide and has a metal barricade which separates the track and the main carriageway. Road reflectors have also been installed to help the cyclists in the night.

Talking about the project, the assistant municipal commissioner and incharge of R/Central ward office, Vaqar Javeed, told the Hindustan Times, “The idea was to bring a permanent solution to this problem. The road passes through a residential area and we have received complaints of encroachments and illegal activities taking place behind the parked vehicles at night. Which is why we decided to transform the space entirely. Earlier, we had launched a beautification plan in our entire ward. Then, we installed murals in all the open spaces. Similarly, a mural was painted on the wall adjoining this road and the murals were defaced by the encroachers the very next day. Which is why we had planned to set up this track as a long-term solution to these menaces.

Furthermore, officials informed that two cycles can use the track side-by-side and the design was approved keeping the aesthetic aspects in mind. The team has also painted the track and signs have been put to assist the users.