Bhubaneswar: The city administration is yet to select an agency for the bicycle-sharing programme, under which one can hire a cycle for a fee.

In March last year, it was decided to introduce the programme.

The project was put on fast track in November when the authorities started looking for a suitable executor. The plan was to complete the tender process by March and introduce the programme ahead of the Men's Hockey World Cup to be held here in November.

In their latest attempt, the authorities have again invited agencies, and this time they hope to complete the selection process by mid-September.

"We have finished preparing the plans, including deciding on the number of bicycles, docking points and routes where the bicycles will be available. We have also prepared an MoU signing with the executing agency," said a Bhubaneswar Development Authority official.

The Telegraph reported about the delay in introducing the programme on March 18. Sources had then told this newspaper that the delay was because of certain flaws in the tender documents.

In its pre-tendering meetings with the short-listed agencies, the authorities had to make seven corrections.

"The agencies, who were called for the pre-bid meetings, raised several doubts about the programme's components. We have made the corrections accordingly and come up with the final agreement. It will be signed by mid-September, and the service will be available by the first week of November," he said.

The authorities will introduce 1,200 cycles with 120 docking stations across the city. In the first phase, they will, however, introduce 300 bicycles with 40 docking stations. As of now, three routes have been chosen for the project.

At present, the public bicycle-sharing programme is delivering results in Paris with 4,000 bicycles, in London with 8,300 and in Montreal with 5,120 two-wheelers. In Indian cities, the programme is operational at Karnal with 200 bicycles, Bhopal with 500, Mysore with 550 and Ahmedabad with 200 cycles.