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Bengal

Soon, NKDA to introduce public cycle sharing scheme

Kolkata: New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) is all set to offer a cheap and eco-friendly travel option to the city's green lovers. A first-of-its-kind scheme to be implemented in India, public cycle sharing, however, is a very popular and tested concept in the West. On the basis of NKDA's letter of intent, on Tuesday, the shortlisted private firm gave demonstration before its senior officials. The green lovers, keen to pedal along the cycling tracks of New Town, have the liberty of accessing bicycles from stationed parking areas and leaving it anywhere, within New Town. These cycles with GPS, come equipped with automatic locks, which are app-controlled. Users using the service can make wallet-linked payment to the service provider and unlock the bicycle for their ride.
Professionals working in New Town now have the option of leading a healthy life. All they need to do is hire the cycle, visit offices and then leave it after making the necessary payments. The cycles will be kept parked at important junctions, from where cyclists can easily hop on. However, NKDA is to decide on the tariffs. Cycles are eco and health friendly. Doctors maintain that regular cycling not just helps in staying fit but also reduces stress and controls blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In Bangalore and Hyderabad, IT professionals often indulge in long distance cycling. Many of them go to office on cycles at least once a week. Also, in Kolkata, long distance cyclists assemble in New Town every Sunday morning to cycle, as it has a five km graded path dedicated for cyclists.
It may be mentioned that New Town was the first to introduce Bike Taxi in Eastern India. Tasting success, the operators have now approached the state Transport department to make Bike Taxi operational in Kolkata city.
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