Public Bicycle Project left to rust-lack of awareness, maintenance raises questions on Rs 6.50 Cr investment
Jammu’s much-hyped public bicycle-sharing project, launched under the Smart City initiative, appears to be faltering. With an investment of Rs 6.50 crore, the project introduced 800 bicycles-720 unisex and 80 pedal-assisted electric bikes-spread across nearly 100 docking stations in the city. These GPS-enabled bicycles were integrated with an app-based checkout system that required Aadhaar authentication through the JSCL (Jammu Smart City Limited) app.
However, the on-ground reality presents a starkly different picture. Many docking stations are abandoned, bicycles are rusting due to lack of maintenance, and public engagement remains minimal. While the initiative aimed to provide an eco-friendly transportation alternative, citizens argue that it has become an example of poor planning and mismanagement.
Chitra Gupta, a local resident, expressed frustration, saying, “This is a complete waste of money. People in Jammu don’t use bicycles for commuting. Instead of randomly placing these cycles all over the city, they should have been stationed outside parks and recreational areas where people might actually use them.” She believes the concept was flawed from the beginning and that the lack of dedicated zones for bicycles has led to their neglect. She suggests that placing them in controlled areas, such as parks or jogging tracks, would have been a more practical approach.
Somdutt Verma echoed similar concerns: “These cycles are useless. No one is using them. What’s the point of having them scattered all over the city when there is no demand?” He questioned the feasibility of the project and suggested that the Rs 6.50 crore investment could have been better utilized to improve public transport or other civic amenities.
Pritam Sharma acknowledged the idea was good but criticized the execution. He said, “Many people are unaware of how to use the system. Without awareness, this project is just a waste of time and resources.” He pointed out a major flaw-the lack of public awareness. Despite the technology-driven approach, many residents are unfamiliar with the JSCL app, the check-in/check-out process, and the overall benefits of the system. He believes that unless the authorities actively educate the public, the project will remain underutilized.
Vikas Gupta, another resident, agreed that the project had potential but was ultimately hampered by poor execution. “If people were properly informed about the service and encouraged to use it, the outcome could have been different,” he said, supporting the idea but criticizing the lack of awareness.
Thakur Karnail Singh emphasized the need for education and promotion, saying: “People don’t use the bicycles because they don’t know how to. The government should focus on raising awareness and making the system user-friendly.” He suggested that the government conduct campaigns to familiarize people with the bicycle-sharing system and its benefits, stressing that a lack of education and promotion was a significant barrier to the project’s success.
