Bengaluru, DHNS: Mysuru will become the first city in the country to have public bicycle-sharing system, where a network of 48 cycle-docking stations will be created.

The service will come up at an investment of Rs 20.52 crore. To start with, 450 cycles will be ready for use. This is meant to help tourists and citizens who wish to travel around the city on bicycles.

Urban Development and Information Minister Roshan Baig told reporters the Mysuru City Corporation is implementing a citywide bicycle-based transportation system to provide low-cost, environment friendly mobility options to citizens as well as tourists.

The minister said the docking stations will be integrated with bus stands and the railway station. There will be a nominal fee for cycle users. The initial coverage area will include destinations like Race Course, Kukkarahalli Lake, Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hill, Lashkar Mohalla and bus stand.

Baig said the project is being implemented with World Bank GEF grant and the nodal agency to implement the project is the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT).

“The initial capital cost is Rs 7.73 crore. A GEF grant of Rs 10.4 crore will be available to cover the capital cost and first year’s operation and maintenance cost. Already, 38 docking stations have been installed and civil work is in progress in the remaining seven locations. By March-end, the system will be operational,” the minister said.