Noida fails to install signals for cyclists in eight months
Though the Noida authority has made exclusive tracks for cyclists along many stretches in the last eight months, lack of signals is discouraging cyclists from using these tracks.
Though the Noida authority has made exclusive tracks for cyclists along many stretches in the last eight months, lack of signals is discouraging cyclists from using these tracks. They continue to cycle amid traffic endangering their lives as well as impeding the movement of vehicles.
The authority had in January decided to install traffic signals along 64km of cycle tracks with the aim to provide a safe dedicated space for cyclists.
To begin with, eight signals are to be installed on the track along Master Plan-I Road in sectors 3 and 19.
Later, the authority will install 17 traffic signals on the newly built 22 km long cycle track along internal roads in Sector 62. The project is estimated to cost Rs 55 lakh.
“It took us an unusually long time to select a private agency to install traffic signals. Whenever we floated a tender to select an agency, less than three agencies were interested in the project. As procedure, in the tender process, we cannot select an agency from among just one or two interested parties,” said RP Singh, project engineer, Noida authority.
The authority had decided to install traffic signals on cycle tracks after it found that in the absence of signals, cyclists kept waiting to cross over to the other side amid high speed traffic.
The authority said it will begin installation of traffic signals on the 3km cycle track stretch of Master Plan-I road in the beginning of October.
“We hope to sign an agreement with a private agency by the end of September. If that is done, then we will install eight signals to offer a safe commute to cyclists,” Singh said.
Cyclists said tracks are out of bounds for them due to illegal parking.
“Putting traffic signals on tracks will ensure safety only if the authority removes encroachments from these tracks. People park cars and vendors have put up kiosks on these tracks, making it difficult for a cyclist to use them,” said Sanjiv Jha, who cycles daily from Sadarpur to his office in Sector 6.
Traffic signals at intersections and those on cycle tracks will be synchronised so that motorists also stop to give way to cross over to the other side, officials said.
