SMC’s Bicycle sharing project turns to rust and ruin

Surat : The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) launched a bicycle sharing project in the vibrant diamond city of Surat with much fanfare and the noble aim of encouraging fitness and promoting environmental well-being.

However, what was once a promising initiative has now turned into a spectacle of neglect and waste, as more than 130 bicycles purchased by the civic body languish in disrepair, slowly becoming scrap material.

Surat, known for its relentless pursuit of urban development, often takes pride in launching ambitious projects aimed at elevating its status as one of Gujarat’s leading cities. Yet, the implementation of these projects has raised concerns, tarnishing the city’s image. Allegations have surfaced that after receiving funds from contractors to initiate projects, there is a lack of interest in monitoring their progress.

The bicycle sharing project initiated by the SMC is no exception to this trend. Initially, the project gained popularity in certain areas of the city, proving to be a convenient mode of transportation for the public. However, as time passed, the project seemed to lose its sheen, with bicycles left to gather dust.

The project began with approximately 1,200 bicycles, supported by the construction of around 250 cycle stands in different zones across the city. Today, it is a challenge to find even a hundred bicycle stands that have not suffered damage. Some locations have stands without bicycles, while others have bicycles without stands. This chaotic state of affairs has rendered the project ineffective.

The deteriorating condition of the cycle stands has led to opportunistic individuals, including roadside vendors and laborers, converting them into makeshift sleeping spots or tea stalls. This misuse of public infrastructure only adds to the project’s woes.

The Surat Municipal Corporation invested substantial funds in the bicycle sharing project, but it now appears to exist primarily on paper. The bicycles, once symbols of a healthy and eco-friendly mode of transport, lie abandoned and neglected in the open ground at  Lal Darwaza in Surat, waiting to be sold in scrap. Exposed to the elements, they have deteriorated beyond repair, rendering them useless.

Former SMC Councillor,  Dinesh Kachdia, while acknowledging the project’s initial success, lamented the apparent lack of accountability. He stated that while all projects are meticulously planned, there is often confusion about who should be held responsible when they fail. The absence of clear accountability leaves taxpayers wondering who should be held responsible when projects involving crores of rupees end up as waste.