Gurgaon: Car parking makes way for cycle stand in Sector 29

Software firms and a research organisation on Sunday opened a dedicated parking space for cyclists in Sector 29

Software firms and a research organisation on Sunday opened a dedicated parking space for cyclists in Sector 29.

The project reclaimed four parking slots for cars to create space for 40 bicycles. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

The parking project, called ‘Seeds for Change’, reclaimed four car parking slots to create space for 40 bicycles. The project was launched by police commissioner Sandeep Khirwar and Dr Dario Hidalgo, director, integrated transport, WRI. It is an initiative by Nagarro Software and WRI India, in partnership with the NGO Udaan and the Nasscom Foundation.

“This project aims to show a way forward by displaying how transportation can be successful if the focus is on moving people and not cars. Once four cars are replaced by 40 cycles in the same amount of space, movement becomes easier and congestion reduces. It also addresses the critical issue of safe, interactive, lively and sustainable public spaces,” said Sarika Panda Bhatt, manager, cities and transport, WRI India.

Amit Khatri, additional commissioner, MCG, said efforts have begun to initiate a public transport system for the city.

“We are hoping to roll out a city bus service with 500 buses by December 2017. We are geared towards meeting this deadline and are also looking at other initiatives with various departments, such as the Pod taxi project, to reduce congestion,” Khatri said.

Khirwar said the traffic police department is looking to recruit 500 additional personnel and is expanding drives against illegal parking in the meantime.