Karnataka - Hassan   

Bicycle jatha for a cause

All smiles: Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao with other participants of the jatha in Hassan on Thursday.

HASSAN: The second edition of BSA Tour of Nilgiris (BSA TFN), a 900-km eight-day bicycle jatha which started from Bangalore on December 16, reached Hassan on Thursday.

Seventy people, including Transport Commissioner Bhaskar Rao, are participating in the jatha.

Addressing presspersons on Hassan-Mysore Road here, Mr. Rao said that the aim of the jatha was to raise awareness among the people on the use of non-mechanised modes of transport that would lessen air pollution and traffic congestion in cities and towns.

Of the 70 participants, 12 were from the U.S. and one from the U.K., he said

“We started from Bangalore and reached Mysore on Wednesday evening. We left Mysore at 7.30 a.m. and reached Hassan at 12.30 p.m. on Thursday. We will reach Ooty on December 24 via Hassan, Madikeri, Irupu, and Sultanbathery. December 20 is a rest day for the participants,” he said.

Citing the reasons for being part of the jatha, he said: “I am very keen on spreading environmental awareness among the people and on promoting alternative modes of transport with the intention of reducing air pollution. Apart from this, I feel people in their 40s should participate in such events. This will ensure good health. I hope this tour will encourage people to choose bicycle as a means of personal transport.” If people used public transport, pollution could be reduced, he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Bicycle jatha for a cause
Council polls: three candidates in fray in Hassan

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu