BAREILLY: The much-hyped bicycle track constructed during the Akhilesh regime in 2015 will be razed to pave way to the under-construction Satellite flyover here.According to Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation (UPSBC) officials, the 850-metre long and 2.75-metre wide cycle track has not only been obstructing the free-flow of traffic, but it is also hindering the progress of flyover construction. Since its inauguration, local vendors have encroached upon the bicycle track, defeating the purpose of providing a safe passage to the cyclists on one of the busiest city roads — Satellite road.Meanwhile, with the Lok Sabha elections just a month away, the matter has attained political colour. Opposing the government’s move, local Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders accused the Yogi Adityanath government of “intentionally destroying” projects laid down by the Akhilesh regime.Citing the example of the demolition of Urdu Gate — constructed by SP leader Azam Khan — in Rampur last week, former SP district secretary Pramod Yadav said, “The BJP government is hell-bent on spoiling the projects laid down by the Akhilesh government in the name of development and public welfare. It’s a cheap political stunt to gain some political capital before the elections.”Refuting the charges, however, UPSBC’s Bareilly deputy project manager BK Sen told TOI: “The construction of flyover needs the entire road, including the cycle track, which is constructed along one side of the road. The cycle track connects Sattelite junction to Isanyion ki Puliya, which the 596-metre long and 7.5-metre wide single-road flyover will also connect. As the cycle track has occupied a significant portion of the road, it is hindering the progress of the flyover construction, and thus, it will be razed. The track will now be converted into a service lane in accordance with the project blueprint.”

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