Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Jan 25: Over 380 bicycles of the total 1000 bicycles that were dedicated to the people in a bid to promote eco-friendly environment in Srinagar under the Smart City Project, have been vandalised by people and 5 stolen, officials said on Wednesday.
A senior official from the Srinagar Smart City Project said that out of the total 1000 bicycles that were operational in Srinagar under the Smart City Project, 380 have been vandalised and 5 have been stolen.
He said that the current operational fleet stands at 600 bicycles, down from the initial 1000 cycles. He also said that due to the ongoing winter season, they have reduced the number of cycles.
He, however, said that plans are underway to increase the number of bicycles in the coming months. The official also highlighted the presence of dedicated maintenance teams working tirelessly to repair and restore the vandalized or damaged bicycles.
“These bicycles not only promote eco-friendly transport and clean environment but also contribute to maintaining good health among the people. Those responsible for vandalizing or stealing these bicycles will face repercussions as the matter has been taken up by the concerned agency,” the official said.
The official added that the docking stations across the City vary in bicycle holding capacity, ranging from 5 to 20 cycles, adding that, “the eco-friendly transport will help in reducing the carbon emission emanating out of the fuel driven vehicles”.
Urging the people to embrace the green initiative and report any suspicious activities around docking stations or with the bicycles, the official said that the success of the eco-friendly cycling project depends not only on the efforts of the government but also on the collective responsibility and awareness of the community.
