India’s financial hub and ‘Maximum City’ – is now becoming a hub for marathons aimed at conservation of fuel and health with a just-concluded international Mumbai Marathon run, and now a Government-Industry initiative called “Saksham Cyclothon Mumbai 2018” scheduled for February 25 this year.
Highlighting the Cyclothon’s ‘drivers’ as : healthy lifestyle, conservation of precious fuel, halting imports of oil, and reducing pollution and carbon footprint while also protecting the environment, India’s oil and related companies that have come together in this bid include Indianoil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, ONGC, Oil India Limited, ONGC-MRPL, NRL, CPCL and Mahanagar Gas.
Noting that India is committed to reduce vehicle emissions from 33% to 35% by 2030, R K Ahuja, Project Secretariat, Petroleum Conservation Research Association, said the PCRA initiative under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, Government of India along with Oil & Gas PSUs, would highlight conservation and utilization of petroleum products alongside promoting healthier lifestyles through cycling short distances, creating a greener environment and better health conditions.
With prize money of Rs 10 lakhs and other prizes, the cyclothon would cover six distance categories from 58 kms to an 8kms “Green Ride” in which people were encouraged to participate in great numbers for their support to a clean, green environment while also conserving fuel for future generations and adopting cycling as a mode of transport alternative to fuel-driven-atmosphere-polluting vehicles, he said.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s +Mann Ki Baat+ words that urged people to give up using petrol/diesel vehicles once a week (and use alternate means of transport like cycles, walking etc) as this would make a big, positive difference to the environment and health, he said the Cyclothon would even provide rented cycles on hire for participants on the fun ride of the event.
“India imported 190 metric tonnes of gas and there is need for reducing fuel consumption in India by atleast 10% as it would help increase self-sufficiency alongside reducing pollution,” Subodh Dakwale- Executive Director, CC & Branding – Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, said while highlighting plans of holding 76 cyclothons across India, besides Delhi, Indore and Mumbai.
“If you build a road to Mars, we will even cycle there,” roared famed cyclist and lawyer Mirza Saiib Baig, who once cycled 3,000 kms from Mumbai to Cochin to raise Rs 26 lakhs in funds for underprivileged law students, and now cycles 70 to 80 kms to work as a lawyer. “While top cycling cities are London, Copenhagen and Amsterdam, Mumbai has nine months of clear weather and cycling has to be part of our future. We are at the cusp of change and need policy initiatives with Government support in this regard,” he added.
Describing the ‘Saksham Cyclothon Mumbai 2018’ as a phenomenal event in saving both fuel and the environment through cycling, Onkar Singh, Secretary-General of Cycling Federation of India, said the Asian Championship cycling team members too would be displaying their support by participating in the Saksham Cyclothon Mumbai 2018.
