The environment lovers showed immense enthusiasm on Sunday morning by participating in a Cyclothon organised by CII Young Indians, Green Planet Bicycle Rider’s Association and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) to mark World Environment Day.
The Cyclothon that was flagged off at 7 am from Gammon India Shopping Complex, New Market witnessed hundreds of cyclists from 8 to 80 years of age. The Cycholothon pass through Board Office Square, MP Nagar, Habibganj Railway Crossing, Narmada Hospital, Bittan Market, Area Petrol Pump, link Road No. 3 and culminated at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Udyan at Patrakar Colony. A meeting and plantation programme was organised at the Udyan. Mayor Bhopal Alok Sharma planted saplings and addressed the gathering.
The Mayor said that Bhopal Municipal Corporation is making all round efforts to save environment. It has sanctioned ` 3 crore to develop cycle treks to promote green mode of transportation in the city. BMC is also working to start Rent A Bike project in which it would provide cycles on rent. Talking about another environment friendly initiative Mayor said the BMC will plant as many as 35,000 saplings during monsoon season.
CII Young Indians, Bhopal chairman Rakesh Sukhramani said that YI is committed to environment protection and various other causes. This year YI has taken up an ambitious project of planting 2 lakh saplings in the city by October 2016. He said this will help to improve green cover in the city.
CII, Madhya Pradesh chairman CP Sharma referred to some of the countries where people prefer bicycles to commute to their workplaces. He said if Bhopal Municipal Corporation build cycle treks in the city the number of cycle users will definitely improve. He also suggested that one must gift bicycles on the occasion of birthdays and marriage anniversaries. This will encourage people to start using bicycles.
CII Young Indians Environment Verticle Head Sameer Ismail said that their Association is ready to extend all possible assistance to BMC in promoting green mode of transport. He said environment conservation is a collective responsibility and everybody should contribute his bit.