STATE GOVT TO PUSH CYCLE ON RED TRACKS

LUCKNOW: Cycle your way to good health, smooth commute and a fatter wallet—is the Samajwadi Party government’s message to citizens.

On its part, the government will paint the state red to demarcate cycle tracks, which will henceforth be part of all detailed project reports and layouts for hi-tech townships and other construction plans.

Initiating a massive effort to push the cycle in the state, chief secretary Alok Ranjan on Friday ordered all principal secretaries, secretaries, divisional commissioners, district magistrates and other officials concerned to develop bicycle-compliant infrastructure and encourage people to use this mode of transport in view of increasing pollution, traffic congestion and fuel costs.

In his order, Ranjan said authorities should engage in wide publicity of the benefits of cycling through print and electronic media. A policy should be formulated for designing cycle-tracks, parking spaces and signalling system for smooth traffic; besides wide cycle tracks should be developed along the roads to prevent accidents. SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE

Reviewing the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan Yojana, Ranjan instructed officials of the youth welfare department to prepare a plan for developing sports infrastructure at block level over the next five years. For the current financial year, 98 blocks had been identified, he said.