Bhubaneswar, April 17: A cycle track, built in 2008 by the public works department between Raj Bhavan Square and KIIT Square, has lost its purpose with parts of it becoming a parking lot.

All through the day, scores of vehicles can be seen parked on the track. A part of the stretch near a shopping mall has been converted into a parking lot. Vendors can be seen occupying the track at several places, making it practically out of bounds for cyclists.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has a parking lot near this mall, which is just beside the cycle track. However, the civic authorities had received complaints fees also collected from vehicles that park on the cycle track. “We have cautioned the parking lot contractor. But vehicle-owners continue to park their cars on the cycle track flouting rules,” said the parking supervisor of BMC.

The track was built along a wide pavement with space between them for avenue plantation. The trees were supposed to provide shade to the cyclists and the project was supposed to encourage the habit of biking. Signboards were put up on the stretch to make people aware that the track was for the use of cyclists but these are now covered with advertisements and posters. The cycle track also needs repair in several patches.

“As the road connects Raj Bhavan Square to Nandankanan, it remains busy throughout the day. We had hoped that the cycle track would help us avoid the traffic on the main road but the indifference of the authorities has rendered the track useless and we have to use the main road,” said Bhagirath Sahu, a cyclist.

At times two-wheelers and sometimes even four-wheelers are seen using the cycle track to avoid the main road traffic or to make a shortcut.

The stretch is important because the road connects a number of shopping malls, hotels and educational institutions. Sources said during the past four months, nearly 15 cyclists had sustained injuries in accidents on this road.

Chief engineer of roads and buildings division Bijan Kumar Behera said their job was limited to building the track. “The civic authorities and the traffic department should ensure that the track remains free from encroachment,” said Behera.

While this is the condition of the existing track, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority is planning to build separate cycle corridors to ensure the safety of cyclists.

Pune and Delhi have dedicated cycle tracks to ease urban traffic chaos and encourage people to use the environment-friendly bicycles. “There should be proper implementation and action taken against vehicle-owners who use the cycle track. Free parking facilities should be made available for cycles,” said Piyush Rout, a city-based urban management practitioner.

Mayor Anant Narayan Jena said the civic authorities had conducted eviction drives on the cycle tracks in the past. “We will soon start another drive to ensure these tracks can be used freely by cyclists,” said Jena.