Islamabad, Oct 31: Islamabad Reduces Bike Lane Project to 10 KM Pilot Test Run. Instead of going with the initial 374-kilometer plan for Islamabad’s bike lane project, city administrators have changed their minds and chosen a smaller, 10-kilometer test project.
This pilot will run from sectors G-5 to F-10 along Khayaban-i-Iqbal Road, also referred to as Margalla Road locally. A massive cycling track project for Rs. 2.8 billion was started earlier this year by the Capital Development Authority (CDA), but work was halted after barely 500 meters. The CDA’s emphasis on idea testing prior to committing to a full-scale project is reflected in the updated plan.
Recently, a meeting convened by CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa was held to discuss the project’s future course. He underlined the need for gradual adoption, pointing out that the first phase would feature environmentally friendly bike routes and electric bike infrastructure, such as charging stations.
The construction of bike lanes on Margalla Road and in sectors F-6 and G-6 would be given top priority during phase I of the project. The engineering department has been instructed by the CDA chairman to update and submit the cost estimates for this scaled-back track for final approval.
In order to provide bike lanes along important roads such as Jinnah Avenue and other important routes throughout 26 residential sectors, the CDA’s Development Working Party (CDA-DWP) first authorized a two-year plan with a budget of Rs. 2.8 billion. The construction of 150 bike and e-bike parking spaces was another aspect of this concept.
