Kozhikode: PCRA cycling event on Sunday

KOZHIKODE: Over 1,000 cyclists will participate in ‘Saksham’ cyclothon organised by the Petroleum Conservation and Research Association (PCRA), a society under the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, at Beach Road here on Sunday.

Sanrakshan Kshamta Mahotsav (Saksham), being held with the support of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), is part of the PCRA people-centric drive to facilitate a behavioural change towards petroleum conservation, a press release said.

Mr Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in a message stressed the need for citizen-level initiative to conserve energy from petroleum-based sources for creating a better nation.

“Small efforts to substitute and reduce the usage of petroleum products like commuting through walking or cycling, using public transport, car-pooling, mindful usage of energy efficiency equipment and machinery can add up in big way,” he said and pointed out that “such measures will also have supplementary benefits like improvement in health parameters due to exercise and decongestion of roads.”

The cyclothon to be flagged of at 5 a.m. is being held under the Green Ride category for five kilometres. The cyclists will pedal their way round the beach road starting from near Hotel Sea Queen, said Mr. Amit Kumar, organising committee chairman and territory manger, BPCL Lubes, said. 

Eminent sports personalities, students from around 60 schools, colleges and other educational institutions, SAI, government officials and several social groups are expected to take part in it.

The cyclothon with the slogan ‘Cycle for health, environment and conservation’ is part of Saksham being celebrated across 200 cities from January 16 to February 15.