Metro goes green, to rent out cycles now

New Delhi, October 17 IF you thought Delhi Metro is only about swish trains that can take you places in matter of seconds, think again. In a novel experiment, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation today launched an eco-friendly initiative to promote cycling at Delhi University’s North Campus. Starting Thursday, commuters can take cycles on rent at the Vishwavidyalaya station for Rs 10 for every four hours. About 20 such cycles can be rented. To encourage more cyclists to take the Delhi Metro trains from its Vishwavidyalya station, DMRC also inaugurated a cycle stand to accommodate 50 cycles.

According to DMRC officials, the ‘rent-a-cycle’ facility will be extended to all parking sites of Delhi Metro by yearend. The number of stands at each station would depend on number of cycle users. At Seelampur, for example, the stand would accommodate 600 cycles, for officials say close to those many are parked there every day.

Delhi Metro PRO Anuj Dayal said the fare for cycle parking would be Rs 2 for 8-10 hours, and smart card users would be exempted. A monthly pass would be issued for Rs 20. DMRC is also negotiating with parking contractors for installation of cycle stands, Dayal said. “If the experiment works out well, DMRC may get stands fitted at select parking sites.”

DMRC also plans to install automatic parking at sites such as Pul Bangash, Pratap Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Kashmere Gate and Pitampura.