6 days ago
From pedals to pastures: Bicycle dock turns into cattle post in Mysuru
Mysuru: A bicycle docking station in west Mysuru has become a makeshift cattle post where locals regularly tie their cattle and livestock. This has failed to catch the attention of the authorities concerned.
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BN Nagendra, an RTI activist, said it is an indication that chief minister Siddaramaiah's significant project has been neglected by local authorities. The purpose of the project was to encourage non-motorised vehicles and cut down pollution. On the contrary, it appears that a docking station in Vinayaka Nagar near Mathru Mandali Circle, where the bicycles were supposed to be stationed, was shut, and the place is being used by residents to tie cattle and livestock.
Launched in 2016
In 2016, Siddaramaiah launched Trin-Trin, a public bicycle-sharing project, a first in India, with the aim of reducing carbon footprints. The project, which started as a pilot, received a positive response from the public as residents started using bicycles. Thousands of residents took memberships and used bicycles to travel between distances.
Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is the implementing authority of the project.
MCC deputy commissioner (development) KJ Sindhu said the project was given to an agency for the operation and maintenance of bicycles. The project was renewed with the addition of battery-operated bicycles. Unlike earlier, a user is now allowed to keep or take the bicycles to their places for a specific period.
Earlier, when the project commenced, users had to lock the bicycles at any of the docking stations after use, and charges were fixed based on the time of use.
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The officer said MCC would check the misuse of the docking station in west Mysuru.
Will verify: MCC officer
Trin-Trin project coordinator and MCC development officer, zone-1, Chethana said they would verify why the docking station has become defunct and is being used to tie cattle. Chethana said under the project, there are about 48 docking stations from where users can unlock the bicycles and then return them at any of the docking stations. As of now, about 360 battery-operated bicycles are in use in Mysuru city.
The project coordinator explained that bicycle operation and maintenance was given to a private agency, and they would verify the complaint from the public in this regard.
