Failure writ large on Imphal Smart City Mission GPS fitted bicycles gather rust and dust

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 4: In a clear example of the Imphal Smart City Mission failing, GPS fitted bicycles launched in 2022 are gathering rust in as many as 20 stations across Imphal.
As part of the Smart City Mission, 100 GPS bicycles for rent were launched on September 27, 2022.
The initiative was aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, eco-friendly and easy commute to the people on the busy streets of Imphal.
Hardly used by the people and poorly maintained, these GPS fitted bicycles are now parked in the open at the stations and gathering rust.
Some of the 20 bicycle stations don't even have any bicycles.
Even though people are not using them often for lack of awareness, the bicycles evidently seemed to be poorly maintained.
Available for rent, riders must have a mobile application--Yaana-Smart Bicycle Sharing--installed on their phone from the Playstore.
Users have to then register on the application using their mobile numbers.
Users have to then scan a QR code on the bicycle through the application.
Users can ride the bicycles in areas under the Imphal Municipal Corporation. If anyone ride them beyond the limited area of the IMC, the bicycle would lock itself.
Subscribers of the service on Yaana app can ride the bicycle for half an hour for free but non-members would be charged Rs 10.
A one-hour ride would cost a member Rs 7. A 2-hour ride for a member costs Rs 15.
Non members would be charged Rs 15 for 1 hour, Rs 25 for 2 hours.
Communities near the stations said people did use the bicycles when it was first launched, but it failed to attract people after some months.
Now, they said, they don't see people using them.
The stations where the bicycles are parked are not roofed. The bicycles have gathered rust due to continuous exposure to the cycle of rain and sunshine.
A man said people don't know how to use the bicycles.
"Even if people want to ride one, they don't know how to rent the bicycles," he said.
There is a sign board that shows the steps to rent one, but most people, especially elderly, find it very difficult to rent one, he added.
"We welcome every effort to make Imphal a smart city, but unfortunately, many projects like the GPS bicycles are abandoned without proper maintenance after they are launched. The authorities should not practice--"launch and forget" approach," he said.
The man said the authorities who are driving the Smart City Mission should adopt and implement projects that would last.
"When it was first launched, the bicycles were  parked in the open. It was very telling of their failed objective. We know from the start that this bicycle project would not last long," he said. The man also pointed out another "failed" project--the Free Wifi service at Khwairamband Keithel.