दिल्ली में छात्राओं को मिलेंगी फ्री साइकिल, पर चलेंगी कहां? रेखा गुप्ता सरकार की योजना पर बड़ा सवाल – delhi free bicycle scheme girls infrastructure issues ntc rlch
Delhi government has taken a commendable step in the budget 2026-27. Preparations have been made to give free bicycles to girls studying in class 9th of about 1.3 lakh government schools. For this, Delhi government has made a provision of Rs 90 crore. This scheme of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is undoubtedly like giving fans to girls. But along with this auspicious work, the Chief Minister should also consider how much space is given to cyclists in the country’s capital. The aim of CM is to send girls to school easily, reduce dropouts and make girls self-reliant. This initiative in the direction of education and women empowerment is definitely commendable.
But the question arises that where will these cycles be ridden? Delhi Even today the roads are not fit for cycling. The ratio of dedicated cycle tracks in entire Delhi is very poor compared to other major cities of the country. The record of deaths on bicycles and two-wheelers is also scary. Therefore, the government should first make Delhi suitable for cycling.
The total length of dedicated cycle tracks in Delhi is still negligible. Recently, a project to build a 53 kilometer cycle corridor along the banks of Yamuna river has started, but that too is still under construction. And these girls are not going to get any benefit from it. Because the girls’ homes will be far away from this cycle track. The cycle tracks and footpaths in the streets of Delhi are occupied. Cars are parked on more than half the footpaths. Girls living near the colonies where cycle tracks have been built do not go to school through cycle tracks.
Compared to cities like Mumbai, Kolkata or Chennai, Delhi’s non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure is very weak. Pune has over 91 km of cycle infrastructure, of which PCMC recently completed 52 km of UCI-standard corridor in 60 days. Pune’s target is to create a network of 75 kilometers. There are cycle tracks on the riverfront in Ahmedabad and 16-17 kilometers of tracks have been built under the old plan. Bengaluru once had a 17-km ORR cycle lane, which later disappeared due to metro work, but the city is still building new tracks.
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The ratio of cycle tracks per lakh population or per square kilometer in Delhi is very low compared to these cities. According to Delhi Traffic Police, there were a total of 1,617 deaths in road accidents in 2025. Deaths of cyclists are also continuously increasing. 48 cyclists lost their lives in 2022, while a report mentions 53 deaths last year. Two-wheeler accidents are causing more than 50 deaths every day across the country, but in a city with dense traffic like Delhi, cyclists are even more unsafe. Heavy vehicles, high speed, potholes, parking and ignoring signals, all together turn the bicycle into a death trap.
The government’s intentions are good, but the plan seems incomplete. Three things are necessary before distributing the bicycle. The first extensive network of cycle tracks. Yamuna corridor is a good start, but at least 200-300 kilometers of safe, separate and connected tracks are needed across the city. Second, change in road design. Cycle lanes should become mandatory on every new road and flyover. Otherwise this scheme will prove to be just another paper scheme with good intentions. The government should spend some part of the budget on bicycle infrastructure. Only when Delhi becomes capable of riding bicycles, will it be meaningful to give bicycles to 1.3 lakh girls. Safety first, bicycles later. Delhi government will have to change this priority.
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