GO FOR E-CYCLING
Under the smart city projects, J&K is soon going to offer a full-fledged public e-bicycle sharing system in both its upcoming smart cities viz Jammu and Srinagar, as already Jammu has come up with the pilot project and Srinagar is at the trial stage with launch of the system expected very soon. This initiative which is already running successfully in many other cities in the country including Delhi is a wonderful means for improving the health of the citizens besides reducing pollution levels and traffic congestion on roads. The system could be well described by the famous Hindi adage–Ek Teer Do Nishane. Rather one can say in this matter–‘Ek Teer Kayin Nishane’, because it has multiple benefits and no harm at all. Reportedly, in coming days Srinagar is all set to have Kashmir’s first public e-bicycle sharing system available initially at 11 docking stations situated at various places in the city. The initiative, with the support of Srinagar Smart City, has been taken by a Srinagar-based start-up ‘Curve Electric’ which will keep nearly 50 electric bicycles available for the general public. Among many, one the aim is to cut down the carbon emission to protect the environment, which become quite necessary in the present times as recently experts in the field have given startling figures about thousands of people perishing in J&K annually on account of rise in pollution levels, which makes it important to take steps on war footing to save environment and in turn people’s lives. In this context, Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has already launched a public bicycle-sharing system in Jammu under the Smart City Mission to boost eco-friendly mobility. The Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) has established 60 automatic docking stations across the city and each one has 10 slots to park and lock bicycles. The work for 60 more docking stations is in progress. The public bicycle-sharing system will not just help citizens to maintain good health but also bring down pollution levels in the twin capital cities of the UT of J&K, which is a very important factor looking into the rising levels of the pollution due to large scale construction, heavy vehicular traffic, seamless industry, and other things contributing into pollution in the region. The people should adopt this new culture as soon as possible to get into shape, become healthy and also contribute in making the environs of J&K serene and clean.