RNS: In an exciting step towards eco-friendly urban transportation, Hyderabad has introduced its very own solar-powered cycling track named “Healthway.”
This solar-powered cycling track is the second of its kind in the world, set to change the way the city thinks about sustainable living and travel.
Healthway, a 23-kilometer cycling track, runs alongside the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and is open 24/7, providing a convenient option for the city’s growing cycling community. This initiative also reinforces Hyderabad’s ambition to become a leader in active mobility in India.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Minister KT Rama Rao inaugurated the solar roof cycling track in a ceremony on Sunday. During the event, the Minister revealed plans to build similar cycling tracks near Gandipet Lake, the Financial District, and Neopolis, showing the city’s dedication to eco-friendly transportation.
What makes Healthway special is its self-sustaining design, offering long-term benefits. It’s not just a cycling track; it aims to inspire people, especially children, to adopt active lifestyles, promoting good health and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related illnesses.
The track is 4.5 meters wide and has one meter of green space on each side, creating a safe and scenic route for cyclists. Remarkably, Healthway was constructed in a record 18 days and features 16,000 solar panels generating 16 MW of electricity. This clean energy powers the track’s lighting and other electrical needs along ORR, reducing the city’s carbon footprint.
The Hyderabad Growth Corridor Limited (HGCL), a division of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), is responsible for Healthway’s development. The cycling track is designed as a vibrant community space, complete with parking, security, food courts, water fountains, first aid stations, and restrooms. Additional services like bike repair shops, docking stations, and rentals will enhance the experience for users.
One of the key advantages of solar roof panels is their ability to shield cyclists from weather conditions and separate them from busy highway traffic, ensuring safety.
The idea for this innovative cycling track came from a tweet by environmentalist Erik Solheim, who praised a similar project in South Korea. The Minister of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) took this inspiration and turned it into a reality.
Healthway is not only a symbol of cleaner and healthier transportation but also a testament to Hyderabad’s commitment to a sustainable and green future.
