Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday launched a bamboo-framed bicycle in Guwahati on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, promoting the use of locally sourced bamboo for eco-friendly mobility. The bicycle was unveiled at the Brahmaputra Riverfront as part of an initiative aimed at developing practical products from the state's abundant bamboo resources.

Speaking to reporters, Sarma said the bamboo-framed bicycle was being introduced as a pilot project and would be developed under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) category. He described the launch as particularly significant on Gandhi Jayanti and said the bicycle combined a conventional cycle design with a frame made from bamboo sourced locally in Assam.

Sarma said Bamboo India had claimed that the bamboo frame was stronger than steel. He added that the state government would assess public response before deciding whether to expand the initiative. If feedback was positive, he said the government could consider placing the bicycles in parks across Guwahati and including them in government procurement.

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Yugesh Suresh Sinde, founder and director of Bamboo India Pvt Ltd, said the company was launching its new Assam Bamboo Cycle brand with support from the Assam government and BIS. He said the initiative had also received support from the Assam Industrial Development Corporation, Guwahati Smart City Limited and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation. The company aims to initially produce around 1,000 bicycles a month.

According to Sinde, production could eventually increase to 5,000 bicycles per month, with the broader objective of making bamboo bicycles suitable for everyday use rather than restricting them to hobby or decorative purposes. The company plans to manufacture single-gear, geared and battery-powered bicycles, while also developing models for children.

Depending on demand, the company plans to expand the product range to include road, mountain and hybrid bicycles. Sinde said the initiative was intended to encourage a wider understanding of bamboo as a material for practical products, alongside its established role in Assam's traditional art and craft industries.

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