After accumulating dust for more than three years, the cycles procured under the ‘Mo Cycle’ scheme in Bhubaneswar will be repaired and distributed among the general public and students in Bhubaneswar.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, Vijay Amruta Kulange informed about the decision on Thursday.
“We are currently repairing the ‘Mo Cycles’. These could not be used during Covid restrictions. We will see how the citizens can use them. There will be some youths, some students and some cycle enthusiasts who will get the cycles. However, we will distribute them as per a SoP. And no cycle will be left unused,” Kulange added.
Earlier, there were reports that the cycles would be given away to citizens and students. However, the BMC stated, "The Mo Cycles which were damaged during the COVID pandemic time will be repaired. An SOP is being prepared to increase the usability of the cycles. There is no free distribution of cycles."
About 2,000 cycles were purchased at a cost of Rs 25,000 each from three firms in 2018. Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) brought 1000 Hexi Bikes, 500 Yaana and 500 Yulu Bikes.
On November 26, 2018, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had flagged off a promotional rally of 300 bicycle enthusiasts from Bhubaneswar Airport Square to Kalinga Stadium. The city had its Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) Project, christened as 'Mo Cycle'. It arrived in the city that was hosting the Hockey World Cup Tournament, two days later.
However, as per reports, soon after the launch, number of users kept falling rapidly from 37,008 users in December 2018 to 6,216 in March 2019.
(Reported By Bibartan Panda, OTV)