Chennai city police have built a cycle lane on a 20-km stretch of East Coast Road (ECR). This lane is specially demarcated for cyclists for use on weekends. Trials were conducted on Thursday and Saturday.
The special lane was proposed by city police commissioner Shankar Jiwal to allow people to go on long walks and cycle down the ECR. He also directed the police personnel to ensure the safety of cyclists and joggers and that they are free from obstruction from other vehicles. The first test was conducted on December 25 from Akkarai Junction to Muttukadu, a distance of 12 km. Many requested the police commissioner to extend this section as they felt comfortable without any hindrance from other vehicles or speeding driving.
On Saturday morning, law and order and traffic police personnel together regulated the traffic and ensured that the lane was used only by cyclists and joggers from Kottivakkam to Muttukadu.
A senior police officer said, “Initially, we decided to give a convenient track for cyclists from Akkarai Junction to Muttukadu between 5 am and 8 am. After feedback and requests from the public, we have extended the lane to 20 km. Extended the distance. Kottivakkam to Muttukadu boat house. The idea was to allow them on Saturday and Sunday, but this time on Sunday it will not be possible as it is a lockdown.”
“We are identifying other places and exploring the possibility of creating a common lane especially for cyclists. We are studying other possibilities. At least on Saturday and Sunday, we are exploring the possibility of cycling,” the official said. Those interested will be allowed.”
There is a proposal to build a similar lane on Rajiv Gandhi Salai from Madhya Kailash Junction to Sholinganallur Junction. Police officials said a trial would soon be conducted on this section in collaboration with the Tambaram Police Commissionerate.
,