ETAWAH: In a major initiative to boost eco-tourism in the state, Uttar Pradesh is all set to have the country’s longest bi-cycle highway connecting Lion Safari in Etawah to Taj Mahal in Agra.
The 197km-long “bicycle highway” will be constructed from Taj Mahal’s East gate to Etawah lion safari at a cost of Rs 94 crore. Official sources here today said that state Public Works Department has finalized the project and the construction work is likely to start soon.
Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had announced this ‘dream’ project in December last year while attending the first ever UP Bird festival in order to give a major boost to eco-tourism in the region.
PWD sources here said that the detailed project report(DPR) of the bi-cycle highway is ready and already approved by the finance department. “Now it will go to the Chief Minister for the final approval. Once we get it, we will immediately start the work. We plan to complete the project within six months from the date of its beginning,”he said.
“The track will be two meter wide and pass through many water bodies, canals, gardens and historical sites. It will be a major attraction for tourists who visit Taj Mahal and Lion Safari,” officials claimed.
The track will start from near Taj Mahal’s east gate and pass through historical sites like Raja Bhoj ki Haveli, Bateshwar Shiva temples, Sauripur Jain temples, Jarar Chambal Safari, Nand Gaon and terminate at Etawah Lion safari. The track will be mainly restricted to rural areas and high density traffic areas will be avoided. However, at some places it will pass through major roads as well.
Out of 197.58km, about 151km is in Agra and the remaining 46 km fall in Etawah district. “The best part about this project is that we don’t require do any land acquisition. It will be a concrete-cement road,” officials said. (AGENCIES)
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