Bhubaneswar, Nov. 18: The dream of a smart city where non-motorised mode of transport and dependence on cycles are the order of the day has gripped residents here.

The mobility survey, which was launched on November 1 as part of the citizens' connect initiative under the smart city programme, has reflected the aspirations of the people.

The survey report was submitted today to the authorities of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Swadhin Das, a marketing student of the Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar, said: "Bicycles on rent, a trend that we get to see in metros such as Hyderabad, would one day become a reality in Bhubaneswar."

Explaining how several options for smart city solutions are having more than 90 per cent response, Das said: "We have asked people to make their choices from the sheet. Many have wished that multiple smart solutions could be the way to ease traffic mess in the state capital.''

More than 100 student volunteers under the banner of Maxim (Marketing Association of XIMB) took part in the event that was held at 18 different locations across the city.

The survey was carried out at important locations including KIIT Square, Damana, Sailashree Vihar, various malls, railway station and Rajmahal Square. It was also held at two major parks, State Museum and Kalpana Square.

Partha Sarathi Das, a teacher staying near Khandagiri hills, said: "The non-motorised mode of transport should be the future. Infrastructure should be developed to ensure that people do not face difficulty to use cycles in the city.''

Partha, however, suggested that senior state government officers, politicians and celebrities should set an example by using bicycles instead of their cars at least once a week.

The Maxim report, however, states that "the key factor from this analysis for the BMC is to separately focus on three group of solutions or use the three-stage method of implementation. It can start with infrastructure-oriented and environment-friendly solutions."

"While several organisations here are trying to implement once-a-week use of bicycles, Tour-de-Konark, an exclusive cycling event, will be organised on November 29,'' said the XIMB student.

He also added that a cycling hero from Odisha Pranay Mohanty, who has become the fastest Indian at the Best-Paris-Best competition to complete 1,230km stretch within 90 hours, has suddenly become an icon among the youth here.

Mohanty, who works as a senior company executive in Mumbai, has become a well-known name in international cycling circuits.