502 cyclists go on yatra from Hyderabad to Amaravati

Guntur: Two teams of 502 cyclists each are on their way to Amaravati from Hyderabad to give moral support to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and participate in the foundation-laying ceremony for the new capital there on October 22. Both the teams started their journey from the TD headquarters, NTR Bhavan, on Monday.

A team of 502 cyclists, young and old, would cover a distance of 502 kilometres to reach Uddandarayunipalem well in time for the new capital’s foundation-laying.

The organiser of the rally is the 'Bring Babu Back' team that had made a mark in the last general elections. A lead organiser Manam Brahmaiah said the number 502 symbolised the completion of 502 days of the TD government on October 22.

The team, that set out in the morning, reached Nagarjunasagar at night. They would be at Dharani Kota by Tuesday evening, and reach Nekallu on October 21. Y. Saibabu, chairman of the 20-point formula, J. Venkat, coordinator of the Bring Babu Back team and P. Nilima, mountaineer, said they wanted to extend their moral support to CM Naidu.

Venkat said people from many sectors including IT professionals, students, CEOs of various companies and senior citizens were participating in the programme. About 502 IT employees have undertaken a Maha Sankalpa Yarta on bicycles from NTR Bhavan to Amaravati. Marking Naidu's completion in office of 502 days, they too are covering as many kilometres from Hyderabad to Amaravati. They would reach Amaravati at night on October 21. On the way, they would collect water and soil from Nagarjunasagar, Dharani Kota and other places. They said they were thankful to Naidu that he had brought many IT companies to Hyderabad.

They will be on the road for three days, and pass through LB Nagar, Mallepalli, Buddist Vipasana, Nagarjuna Sagar, Rentachintal, Piduguralla, Mandepudi, Dharani Kota, Bandar Road, Mangalagiri, Adda Road, Nekkallu and Uddandarayunipalem.