KARIMNAGAR, JUNE 02, 2026: Where are the cycle tracks in the so-called Smart City project in Karimnagar town? Can anyone say this signboard is the real cycle track offering a comfortable, safe cycle ride after seeing the picture?
Health conscious cyclists and regular bicyclists were being forced to use the main roads for cycling, risking their lives without any safety measures due to lack of dedicated cycle tracks. Even as the Karimnagar town is gearing up for the World Bicycle Day celebrations on June 3, the Karimnagar cycling association is forced to conduct a cycle rally from Indira Chowk to Elgandal Fort on the main road on Wednesday.
After the formation of Telangana State, the rulers of MCK, who had made tall claims about the development of Karimnagar under Smart City project, had destroyed the bright and beautiful Karimnagar city and converted it into an ‘ugly city’ with congested roads, encroachment of parking spaces and footpaths, converting the free municipal parks into ‘paid parks’ and fleecing the people.
In Karimnagar town, one can see only signboards erected in various parts claiming that the road is meant for cycle tracks. On the other hand, it is encroached by the electricity department with transformers, electric poles, and shops with ramps and display of their products.
The Municipal authorities had claimed that a cycle sharing system would be set up with 15 stations and 10 cycles at each. The cycle tracks would be earmarked along all the R&B roads, Ambedkar Stadium, Collectorate and other roads in the town. The authorities had even purchased bicycles, but they are not seen at any station, as mentioned by the MCK authorities.
The cycle tracks should be constructed with enhanced safety for the cyclists with kerbs on either side, which will isolate the cyclists from the regular traffic. But, the MCK authorities had only erected signboards without any special cycle track with kerbs (the raised edges of stone or concrete that separate a sidewalk (pavement) or road median from the roadway) for the safety of cyclists and to prevent accidents.
A health-conscious and enthusiastic cyclist from Lok Satta Udyama Samstha had flayed the MCK authorities and BRS rulers for destroying the century-old Karimnagar town in the name of Smart City and siphoning off huge taxpayers’ money and leading a luxurious lifestyle. They ridiculed the Smart City authorities for just erecting Cycle Track signboards and not taking up track works and herbs.
Ridiculing the Municipal authorities for encroaching Circus Grounds and Old High School grounds and converting them into ‘paid parks’, he said that the MCK had made tall claims to protect the heritage Govt Old High School with illuminations and removal of the shopping complex and give a facelift to the first school constructed by Nizam rulers in Karimnagar district.
Lok Satta Udyama Samstha district unit leaders demanded that the MCK create cycle tracks as mentioned in the Smart City project and provide special free cycling tracks in Circus ground and Old High School parks for the benefit of people.
In the absence of an alternative mode of transport, people wanting to adopt cycling as a healthy and an eco-friendly option are still awaiting a dedicated cycle track in Karimnagar. Doctors and environmentalists, too, are urging people to adopt cycling to avoid traffic congestion.
There are several tracks announced by the MCK in the past under the Smart City project. But they had only erected signboards without a dedicated track. Dedicated tracks should be available alongside all roads like those available in Warangal and Hyderabad. Otherwise, the general public will not take to cycling on a routine. The infrastructure should be developed so that cyclists feel safe, say the doctors.
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