Tamil Nadu is set to begin distributing redesigned bicycles to around 500,000 students in Classes 11 and 12 at government and government-aided schools from the end of December, according to a report by Dinamalar. Chief Minister Vijay has directed officials to begin the distribution programme during December.
The scheme covers students studying in Classes 11 and 12 and is intended to provide bicycles with updated safety and utility features. The government has decided that the new models will be lighter and stronger than those supplied under the previous administration, the report said.
The bicycles will include reflective stickers at the front and rear so that they can be seen in darkness and during periods of inadequate lighting. They will also have an improved braking system, according to the report. These features are intended to address basic safety requirements for students travelling in low-light conditions.
The design also includes a larger carrier to make it easier for students to transport bags. Provision has been made for carrying water bottles and books, the report said. The bicycles will be supplied in military green for boys and light purple for girls.
The scale of the programme places procurement and distribution at the centre of its implementation. The bicycles are being procured through the Backward Classes Welfare Department. A tender had already been invited for the purchase, and the deadline for submitting bids has been extended until October 13 after the earlier period ended, according to Dinamalar.
The reported December schedule therefore depends on the completion of the procurement process and the subsequent supply of bicycles to schools. The Chief Minister has instructed officials to begin the distribution work by the end of December, but the report does not provide details on the number of bicycles to be delivered in each district, the total procurement cost or the expected completion date for the statewide rollout.
For students in government and aided schools, the programme links education support with everyday mobility. The reported design changes also indicate that the scheme is being implemented through specifications covering weight, strength, visibility, braking, storage and colour. Further details on the tender outcome and the distribution schedule are expected as the procurement process advances.
