PUNE: The civic administration has initiated steps to construct a 18km-long cycle track and walkway along Mutha canal flowing through the city.The development of track and walkway is part of recently-approved bicycle policy and bicycle sharing scheme. Around 18km long stretch along the canal will go up to Hadapsar. The administration has said that it will require land along the canal for construction of facilities.The civic administration has some portion of land in its possession along the canal. For the remaining stretches, the administration has initiated talks with the irrigation department.Meanwhile, sources said that the administration will face a strong challenge in clearing encroachments along the canal. "There are lot of encroachments on both banks of the canal as it flows through the city's central parts," a senior PMC corporator said.As per the preliminary plan, the cycle track and walkway facility will come up on 9-meter wide section along the canal.PMC plans to spend Rs 67 crore on construction of tracks and walkway along the canal.

Source: Times of India January 04, 2018 18:22 UTC