Gr Noida authority organises ‘Cyclathon’ to curb pollution

Declaring war against the fatal air pollution arising out of cars and other motorised transports in the city, senior officials of the Greater Noida Authority, along with cycling enthusiasts have vowed to turn the city’s air cleaner and greener. 

In a cycling meet termed as ‘Cyclathon’, the first of its kind in the city, the satellite town of national Capital that is battling deadly levels of Particulate Matter (PM), hundreds of young children from various schools along with industrialists and adults, came out from their homes early in the morning to pedal in the cold. 

To achieve the goal, the authority also inaugurated a total of three cycle tracks covering 19-kilometre — one at Knowledge Park II (2 Km), Knowledge Park III (3 Km) and Gautam Buddha University (14 Km). The authority also asked citizens to use cycles while commuting in and around the city.

As the authority had appealed maximum participation of the masses, around 800 participants turned up at the venue early in the morning. The 17-kilometre long Cyclathon was flagged off by the authority’s CEO, Deepak Agarwal. The event started from the Expo Mart roundabout in Knowledge Park II and covered LG crossing, DPS, Sai Dham, Labour Crossing, ITBP, P3 Crossing, Pari Chowk, Kailash Hospital, Alpha II market, Kaveri Gate at Jaypee Greens and finished at the Greater Noida Sports Complex. 

“The event was organised for the first time and we are spreading awareness about the use of cycles. To conduct it successfully, we held meetings, got registrations done both offline as well as through an online facility,” said Agarwal.

According to the organisers, the event received good response from women as over 40 per cent participants of various age groups were children and women. 

“The enthusiasm reflected among the citizens for clean environment is praiseworthy. It will encourage people to use cycles for short and medium distances and shun motor vehicles for traveling,” said an organiser.

“It is the duty of the state to do everything to protect environment. A comfortable car may give you pleasure in the short run but it’s taking a toll on your health. Parents should shun motorised vehicles and ask their children to use cycles only. Cycling is the only activity that can give regular benefits to your health and can cut down pollution. We would soon hold another such event and will expand it in Delhi and other cities,” the CEO said.