Captured by : Parrikar having a brief ride on the lawns of his official residence at Altinho on Thursday afternoon.
PANAJI: Goa and more particularly, Panaji city could soon have a public bicycle system with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar informing that the initial groundwork is being put in place through the smart city mission.
The system, which mimics bicycle sharing systems in use across the world especially in Europe, China and even Mysore in India, allows commuters to use operator owned bicycles picking them up from a stand and dropping them off at a stand close to their destination for a minimal fee.
"We are tying up through Smart City (Mission) with a private player. They will be operating the system and we will only be providing them places where the cycles can be parked. Every cycle will be GPS tracked and have 100% safe locking system. Operators will try to put up stands every 300-250 meters, where these cycles can be locked. You can pick it up at one point, go to any other point and drop it there," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said.
"Now they are conducting a feasibility exercise. They will work out where the stands have to be, how many cycles are required. There are 9-lakh such cycles across the globe. They want to start the exercise where people will be encouraged to use cycles which is energy friendly and environment friendly and health friendly. They are now just showing me the different kinds of cycles. It has three gears, it doesn't puncture, plus GPS, there's a basket in the front. It can be used by gents and females also. The material is anti rust. They will be doing the exercise and maybe in five to six months we will be able to establish cycle stands," Parrikar suggested.
When asked whether the system would be put in place across Goa, the chief minister said it was too early to say and the financial viability would have to be tested.
"It is so difficult, the company which is operating should find it financially viable. We are not investing any money. Except giving places, which I don't think is wrong, because there are so many vehicles parked... in place of that some cycles can be parked. They have a stand to lock the cycles," Parrikar said.
"They find Goa the most attractive because, Panaji for eg, there are enough people who are environment sensitive and would like to use cycles," Parrikar said.
---------------------------------------
CONCEPT ON PEDALS
* Private player to operate the system through Smart City Mission
* The State will only provide places where the cycles can be parked
* Cycle will be GPS tracked and have 100% safe locking system
* Cycle stands at a distance of every 300 meters likely to come up
* A cycle can be picked up at one point and dropped at another point
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They find Goa the most attractive because, Panaji for eg, there are enough people who are environment sensitive and would like to use cycles
- Manohar Parrikar
------------------------------------------------
