Tansa cycle track still incomplete; BMC announces a further extension to Thane!
The lethargic speed of work by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is not hidden from anybody. The snail’s speed at which the 36-km stretch cycle track is being carried out along the Tansa pipeline is a pointer towards the reckless and negligent work of BMC!
Despite flaks from Mumbaikars who are eagerly waiting for the completion of the cycle track, shockingly, the BMC has announced the extension of the cycle track up to the Modak Sagar dam in Thane district! This additional distance is around 70km!! What is astounding is that BMC has announced to complete the entire cycle track in three years! This is ridiculous as the truth is BMC has failed to complete the 36 km cycle track within its deadline!! Shamefully, it completed just 5 km in 2 years!!! Hence, the claim by BMC to complete in 3 years is nothing but an eye-wash!!
Briefing the media, Pravin Darade, Additional Municipal Commissioner, BMC, said that the cycle track will be a boon for tourists and environment enthusiasts. Besides, BMC will also remove encroachments along the pipeline. To enhance the beauty of the cycle track, BMC would be painting the walls in both directions with thought-provoking drawings based on water conservation. The BMC is in talks with prominent art colleges from Mumbai who would be assigned the job of paintings. To complete the dream project, BMC would be hiring a top-class professional consultant and has declared to complete the cycle track project in 3 years.
Giving more information about the newly-proposed extension of the cycle track, Darade said the cycle track will connect BMC’s guest house located near Modak Sagar Lake. It may be noted BMC had, earlier this month, announced its plan to open Tansa, Modak Sagar and Vihar lakes to the public. Besides, the BMC guest houses will also be rented to the public hence BMC plans to connect the cycle track with the guest houses.
This decision will boost tourism and give a push to the local economy of villages around these dams.
Commenting on the project, Dharmesh Mishra, a Mulund resident and a social activist, told Home Times, “The idea of extending the cycle track to Thane is laudable, but the problem is that the first phase of the cycle work is still not complete. It is being carried out so slowly that cyclists are angry.” He rued, “The maintenance of the completed 5-km distance is pathetic. The paintings on the walls along the footpath are tattered. Many a time the streets light are non-functional and this gives the notorious elements an opportunity to make merry during darkness. Hence, BMC must first complete the 36-km stretch and then plan for the 70-km track!”
