Hyderabad to get 21 km long cycle track with solar roofing

HYDERABAD: The Government of Telangana is planning to develop a 21-kilometer cycling track with solar-covered roofing in Hyderabad in addition to the wide lanes for fast-moving automobiles in the Outer Ring Road (ORR). Cycling lanes will be built between the service road and the main roadway in the city.

The idea of solar-covered roofing has been inspired by comparable facilities in South Korea. This facility will shield bicycles from the sun, rain, and other weather conditions, while simultaneously isolating them from main traffic, making their ride safer. In addition to this, these solar tops will generate clean energy for the city.

The plan is to develop 8 kilometres long track between Nanakramguda and the Telangana State Police Academy (TSPA) and 13 kilometres between Narsingi and Kollur. After completion, 4.5 meter wide cycle track would include three cycle lanes and one metre of green space on either side. The tracks are to be built by the Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), which is a division of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

The state government has also decided to construct parking places, surveillance cameras, bicycle docking, rental stations, food courts, drinking water stations, restrooms, and basic bicycle repair shops for the riders at the track. Moreover, the infrastructure built will ensure that the track is well lit during the early hours of the day and at night. The energy obtained from solar tops will power the lighting of the track, making it self-sustainable.

The cycle track will be built as a solar project using the Renewable Energy Service (RESCO) Company model. RESCO operators are set to finance the entire original capital investment for solar panels, maintain them for 25 years, and sell power to the HMDA at a reduced rate. It is estimated that the cycle track’s solar roofing can generate around 9MW of power, which could be used by the HGCL for lighting at the ORR, drip irrigation, and other power needs.