New Town: App-based cycle sharing is likely to make its city debut in New Town next month, courtesy a service by self-drive car rental company Zoomcar.

Pilot projects of the service, called PEDL, are on at Jodhpur Park and New Town.

The company is in talks with the New Town Development Authority (NKDA) to formally start operations in the township, which has dedicated cycle tracks.

"PEDL is a part of the Smart City initiative. One has to have non-motorised transport in a smart city," said Anand Biswas of Zoomcar, which has sent an "expression of interest" for NKDA's public cycle-sharing scheme.

"We have issued a Letter of Interest to them," said Debashis Sen, the NKDA chief.

He added that both the NKDA and PEDL were identifying spots for cycle parking.

Those using PEDL cycles would have to stick to cycle tracks and road within the township and avoid bus routes, said Sen.

Under the pilot project, PEDL is offering cycles on hire for Re 1 for 30 minutes. One has to rent a cycle online, walk to the stand, scan the QR code that unlocks the cycle, ride to the destination and drop off the cycle at a nearby stand. The stands are usually at bus stops or malls or community shopping areas. Payments can be made through digital wallet Paytm. The cycles can be tracked and locked and unlocked remotely.

"Once we launch, we will charge Rs 10 for 30 minutes," said Biswas.

The service has 75 cycles in New Town now. "In another month we will have 250 cycles," Biswas said.