Now cycle your way to Delhi's heritage

New Delhi - The NDMC has identified 10 heritage sites to begin with for the cycle-tourist

Fast on the heels of Trin Trin, an easy cycle hiring system for commuters and tourists launched last week in Mysuru in Karnataka, Lutyen's Delhi, the seat of many heritage sites, is getting ready for cycle tourism.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) calls it 'heritage cycle tours' in the capital. The routes are likely to follow a historical progression, connecting heritage structures dating back to Tughlaq period in the 14th century with the 20th century British phase when modern Delhi was built. In between will be the forts and tombs from Lodi and Mughal period.

The NDMC has identified 10 heritage sites to begin with for the cycle-tourist. These will be weekend tours. This will be supervised by Palika Services Officers Institute (PSOI) club, which is located on Vinay Marg in Chanakyapuri area.

NDMC chairman Naresh Kumar said the move is not just meant for foreign tourists.

The NDMC wants youngsters in Delhi too to be aware of the rich cultural heritage of the capital.

Some of the major points of tour are Talkatora Garden, where the Mughals and Marathas clashed during the 'Raid of Delhi' in 1737; Parliament House, designed by the British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, and completed in 1927; Jantar Mantar, the complex of 13 architectural-piece astronomy lab built by Maharaja Jai Singh II; India Gate, opened in February 12, 1931, as a World War 1 memorial to the 70,000 Indian soldiers; Malcha Mahal, a hunting lodge built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq in the Chanakyapur;. Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian President; Kushak Mahal, the hunting lodge built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in the mid-14th century opposite the Nehru Planetarium; Agrasen Ki Baoli, a step-well on Hailey Road; Safdarjung Tomb, the tomb of Mirza Muqim Abul-Mansur Khan, titled Safdarjung, was the viceroy of Oudh under Muhammad Shah, and built in 1754 by Shuja-ud-Daula; Lodi Garden, the vast park, home to five big monuments - Mohammed Shah's Tomb, Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad, Bara Gumbad, and a mosque built in 15th and 16th century.

More will be added in due course to the tour. The NDMC will develop a website and a mobile application which will provide all relevant information including facility for booking a cycle for the tour. Meals will be part of the package. The cycles will be GPS-enabled. The project is likely to take off next winter. But it is doubtful whether there will be takers in summer, with the mercury touching 48 C.

• India