Lucknow Cycle Tracks Become Hubs of Encroachment and Neglect
Lucknow’s once-hailed cycle tracks, intended to reduce carbon footprints and decongest roads, have largely become forgotten facilities and glaring examples of civic neglect. A recent spot check revealed widespread encroachment by street vendors, illegal parking, and large sections of damaged or missing concrete slabs. Instead of serving cyclists, these lanes now function as dumping sites, footpaths, or unofficial extensions for commercial establishments, frustrating daily commuters and cycling enthusiasts who are forced to ride on main roads, posing significant safety risks.
The cycle tracks, developed along key areas like Kalidas Marg, Vikramaditya Marg, Kursi Road, Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar, Indira Nagar, and Vikas Nagar, have been either taken over by encroachers or are in disrepair due to years of civic apathy. Many locations show cycle lanes transformed into parking bays for cars and two-wheelers. In Hazratganj, specifically near Raj Bhawan and the PWD office, restaurants have even occupied tracks to set up tables and temporary kitchens. The tracks were a flagship project of the previous state government between 2012 and 2017 but suffered from neglect after a change in leadership.
Numerous sections in Gomti Nagar, including the route leading to the LDA Biodiversity Park and stretches towards the Husudiya intersection, are rendered useless by missing or damaged drain covers, posing significant hazards. Similarly, areas in Vishal Khand 5 have caved in, creating dangerous gaps that have persisted for over a year without repair. At Indira Nagar’s Nilgiri intersection, vehicles are regularly parked on the cycling lane, and garbage bins obstruct movement, making it unusable for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Residents expressed disappointment, noting that despite crores spent on construction, there has been no follow-up maintenance.
A stretch near Patrakarpuram, once a pilot corridor for non-motorised transport, is now barely visible due to encroachments and uneven surfaces, with some parts completely vanishing under new construction. These cycle tracks were initially constructed through coordination between the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), Public Works Department (PWD), and UP Housing and Development Board. However, these departments now appear to be passing responsibility to each other. When contacted, the district magistrate acknowledged it was a joint initiative and promised a review. However, officials from LDA and the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) have stated that maintenance does not fall under their current jurisdiction, leading to a lack of coordination and action.
Interestingly, only tracks on VIP routes, such as Kalidas Marg and parts of Vikramaditya Marg, appear relatively well-maintained. This stark contrast highlights a lack of uniform planning and maintenance across the city. Cyclists and civic activists are now demanding a joint action task force involving the LDA, UP Housing and Development Board, and PWD to identify, repair, and reclaim encroached tracks. They argue that this neglect is a policy failure and undermines efforts to promote non-motorised transport and reduce pollution, turning a well-intentioned project into an urban eyesore, discouraging cycling entirely.
