Ludhiana, Jan. 25 -- Even as the municipal corporation prepares to spend Rs.1.5 crore to demarcate dedicated cycle tracks on Mall Road and adjoining stretches under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), the proposal has triggered criticism from residents, who point to the sorry state of city's existing cycling infrastructure-particularly on Malhar Road-where cycle tracks and footpaths exist largely on paper, having long been swallowed by rampant encroachments.

Under the Smart City project, Malhar Road was upgraded a few years ago at a cost exceeding Rs.25 crore. The redesign included earmarked space for cycle tracks and pedestrian footpaths. However, residents allege that the civic body failed to safeguard this infrastructure, allowin...