Hyderabad, Oct 1 -23 : In a remarkable stride towards sustainable urban transportation, India’s inaugural solar roof cycling track, known as “Healthway,” was inaugurated by Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister KT Rama Rao. This groundbreaking initiative, only the second of its kind worldwide, sets a new standard for eco-conscious urban mobility.
Situated alongside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) between the primary carriageway and service road, the Healthway cycling track will remain accessible 24/7, catering to the city’s avid cycling community. It marks a significant step towards establishing Hyderabad as the active mobility capital of the nation.
During the track’s inauguration, Minister KT Rama Rao announced plans to replicate this sustainable model around Gandipet Lake, as well as in the Financial District and Neopolis areas. Emphasizing the project’s self-sustainability, he underscored its mission to inspire youngsters to embrace cycling and active lifestyles, reducing the risk of lifestyle-related illnesses. Additionally, the Minister revealed intentions to enhance the track with sports facilities such as skating ramps and tennis courts.
The 23-kilometer track comprises two segments: an 8.5-kilometer pink line stretching from Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy and a 14.5-kilometer blue line running from Kollur to Narsingi, converging at Narsingi Junction with five access points. Spanning 4.5 meters in width, the three-lane track includes one meter of green space on either side.
The Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), a subsidiary of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), spearheaded the project. The Healthway track is expected to become a popular hangout spot, complete with ample parking, surveillance cameras, food courts, drinking water facilities, first aid stations, and restrooms. In a bid to enhance visitor convenience, bicycle repair shops, cycle docking and rental stations, and other essential services will also be available.
Besides shielding cyclists from adverse weather conditions, the track’s solar roof panels and dedicated infrastructure will ensure their safety by separating them from main road traffic.
A total of 16,000 solar panels were swiftly installed in a record time of just 18 days. These panels are set to generate 16 megawatts (MW) of power, illuminating the track at night and meeting some of the ORR’s energy demands.
The inception of this groundbreaking initiative was inspired by a tweet from renowned environmentalist Erik Solheim, highlighting a similar cycling track in South Korea, between Daejeon and Sejong.
