Air pollution and green house gas emissions are posing severe challenges to our health.
Sensitising people on issues relating to pollution, the Airports Authority of India organised the All India Relay Cycle Expedition 2015-16 with Green India and clean India messages.
The aim of the cycle relay was to spread awareness on pollution control and promote cycling as a healthy practice.
The expedition was flagged off by senior officials of Airports Authority of India from Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi.
S. Raheja, Member (Planning), AAI, said, "We have organized this cycle rally in which 15 cyclists will participate in each of the 5-leg expedition. They are virtually our ambassadors who will create awareness about cycling as clean and green mode of transportation. The cycle tradition which has disappeared over the years should be brought back and people should be made aware of this."
Seventy-five cyclists will cover more than 1,600 kilometers, touching over 20 cities spread over 5 states in a span of 23 days.
The five-leg expedition will cover Gwalior, Kota, Udaipur, Jaipur and will return to New Delhi on March 9.
Cycling is one of the most sustainable and environment-friendly transportation modes and the Airports Authority of India is initiating a green campaign in this direction for its own staff.
T. Premnath, President, Sports Control Board, AAI, said, "We are planning to organize a local cycle rally within the city and all senior officers will participate in this event. Secondly, we are planning that families living in a nearby INA colony should prefer cycle as a mode of transportation. Later on, we can think of the incentives also for them."
Apart from promoting healthy and environment friendly habits, Airports Authority of India also undertakes several sports related initiatives and organizes sports activities throughout the country.
Anuj Aggarwal, Member, Human Resource, AAI, "We periodically plan sports activities and our different regions play with each other. We have many contract players and we even sponsor many upcoming sports persons."
As part of the green initiative, Airports Authority of India has also installed solar lighting in new terminals, water harvesting and the sewage water is being used for horticulture.
