Mulund Cycle Track or ‘Adda’ of Romance and Crime?
With the increasing pollution due to excessive use of vehicles, the Maharashtra government took a unique initiative to encourage the use of bicycles. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sanctioned Rs. 350cr for his dream project. To make his dream a reality, a 2-km cycle track, on an experimental basis as a pilot project, was constructed in Mulund. Amidst a lot of media publicity, the cycle track was inaugurated and health enthusiasts applauded the government’s initiative. But, tragically, after a few months of the inauguration of the cycle track, the track has become an ‘adda’ of love-birds who romance in the morning while, after dark, the place is hijacked by anti-socials, alcoholics and drug addicts.
The idea behind the cycle track was not just to encourage cycling and give a pollution-free zone for Mumbaikars to inhale fresh air but, indirectly, BMC had hoped to develop an eco-friendly mode of transportation and promote a cycling culture in the city. In addition, the cycle track was also an attempt to prevent illegal encroachments along the Tansa pipeline. In the first phase, the cycle track along Dharavi, Ghatkopar and Mulund was started at a whopping cost of Rs. 350cr.
The pilot project came into existence last year. Initially, on an experimental basis, a 2-km cycle track was constructed along Veena Nagar, Jai Bhawani Nagar and ESIC Hospital in Mulund. Sportsmen, youth, senior citizens and other health-conscious people loved the track and enjoyed cycling. However, people who throng the cycle track complain that due to the absence of guards at the entrance, there is lot of nuisance and illegal activities going along the track which has killed the pleasure of cycling.
People complain that many college students are seen romancing and displaying vulgarity during daytime, while at night the place is hijacked by anti-elements, alcoholics, and drug users. Hence, the number of cyclists has declined at night due to the fear of goons.
“Since this is just a pilot project and is made on an experimental basis, hence BMC has not employed guards. We have finalised the contractor for completing further work. After the completion of this project, BMC will employ security guards, too!” – Manoj Kotak (Corporator)
