Goa Takes A Step Towards Air Pollution, Plans To Encourage Use Of Bicycles

New Delhi: As Delhi-NCR continues to choke and breathe toxic air, Goa government is trying to take steps to reduce pollution by encouraging people to opt for cycles as a mode of transport in Panaji. The government plans to tie-up with a private company for operating bicycle fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS). An individual can hire the bicycle and take it to the market or nearby areas.

“We are encouraging buses running on bio-fuel. But it does not happen overnight because it requires a lot of capital cost. In the same way, the best way to reduce pollution further is to use a bicycle,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said.

You can use a bicycle to go to the market. What we have done is we are tying-up with a firm for operating bicycles. We will only give them places where the bicycles can be parked, the chief minister said.

The bicycles would be fitted with the GPS and the user will have to register with the company to hire it, he said.

The company, which is looking at the project’s feasibility, will put up bicycle stands for parking at every 300 metres, in another five to six months, he added.

This is the first time that Goa has done something like this to beat air pollution. Though in the past, the government and the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar himself, have initiated steps to make Goa plastic free. The minister has shunned all kinds of plastic from his life and is trying to make Goa waste free. In past, he also urged all the government officials to make Swachh Bharat a “personal agenda”.

With inputs from PTI

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