HYDERABAD: Warangal from the state of Telangana figured in the list of top 11 Cycling Pioneers in the country, while Hyderabad too features in the top 25 cities that have come up with different cycling-friendly initiatives. The list, released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on Wednesday, July 28, mentioned these two cities along with nine other cities with the prestigious title of being India’s Top 11 cycling Pioneers.
Soon after the list was released, it was announced that the next stage of the first season of ‘India Cycles 4 Change Challenge’ has commenced, which is sponsored by the Government of India through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Top 11 cities will be awarded a sum of Rs one crore each to augment their cycling initiatives, a press release stated. “Warangal has developed beautiful cycle lanes that promote a healthy lifestyle while causing no pollution. If we aspire to achieve a greener future, we should plan on incorporating more of such developments in our towns,” KT Rama Rao, Minister of Municipal and Urban Development, Government of Telangana, said.
For Hyderabad, the city fostered strong collaboration between the municipal corporation, traffic police, and transport authorities at every step, Rao added. Warangal went an extra mile to ensure diverse groups of citizens took to cycling. Safe rallies were organised for the elderly and cycling-themed events such as drawing and painting for children.
Moreover, the Ministry had also launched an Online Exhibition flashing the journey of these top 25 cities, which have been successful in transforming their streets and launch novel initiatives to become cycle-friendly.