Walking and cycling track on Amravati Road, which is meant to provide a space for cyclists and health enthusiasts, is now turned into a neglected and encroached array between University Campus and Wadi Naka stretch. Even the cycling track has never became a spot to get encouraged upon and to serve the purpose since the day-one of its construction. The dedicated cycling track now become a place which is being misused by illegal fruit and vegetable vendors. A stretch which was constructed at significant public expense to foster eco-friendly mobility and ensure commuter safety, this corridor has ironically turned into a dangerous bottleneck, plagued by blatant encroachments, civic apathy, and absolute neglect.

 

When ‘The Hitavada’ visited the spot to conduct a comprehensive ground reality check along the University Campus-Wadi Naka stretch, it revealed an alarming state of affairs. Instead of serving daily commuters and pedestrians, large portions of the track have been occupied for commercial activities. Illegal vendors slowly encroaching the stretch In several spots, roadside saplings zone which were installed by the civic body, illegal vendors has now slowly converted the designated path into open retail zones, lining hundreds of potted saplings across the track. Further along the route, vendors have strung up large displays of cloth, vehicle seat covers, and banners directly across the walkway. To compound the problem, marked cycling zones are routinely abused as illegal parking bays for two-wheelers, delivery vans, and private four-wheelers.

 

Large stretches of the track are blanketed under thick bushes, unattended garbage scattered across. Commuters navigating the route encounter massive heaps of excavated earth, dumped construction debris, stacked concrete drainage pipes, and even tree trunks left directly in the middle of the paved path. Broken paver blocks, deep open drain chambers, with wild weeds pose severe hazards, particularly at night due to poor visibility. Sanjay Kamble, Assistant Commissioner (Enforcement) took note of the growing problem and he has ensured that the enforcement wing would conduct anti-encroachment drive along the stretch to curb the encroachment. Expressing severe frustration, regular commuters and local residents highlighted how these hurdles defeat the entire purpose of the infrastructure. “This dedicated corridor is completely overrun by vendors, parked vehicles, and dangerous obstacles. When our designated space is blocked, we have no choice but to walk and pedal on the main highway amid heavy, speeding traffic. This drastically escalates the risk of fatal accidents every single day,” said Sameer, a regular cyclist. Citizens have urgently appealed to civic body and concerned road authorities to conduct immediate action before any fatal incident occurs at the spot.