Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Even as the Smart City is crying for help and freedom from flooding and traffic jams, the IPSCDL- the Special purpose vehicle for Smart City seems to be busy with cycling now.
Imagine Panaj| Smart City Development ltd in association with the Corporation of the City of Panaji to celebrate World Bicycle Day and World Environment Day on June 3.
The IPSCDL says United Nations General Assembly has declared 3rd June as World Bicycle Day, acknowledging the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been In use for two centuries, and that It is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of
transportation, fostering environmental stewardship and health.
“To celebrate the day, Imagine Pana|i Smart
City Development, in collaboration with the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), will hold a cyclothon on June at 7 am, which will commence from Garcia de Orta, Panaji. Health minister Vishwalit Rane will flag, off
the cyclotron,” the IPACDL said in a press release.
The city of Panaji will also observe World Environment Day on 5th June under the global theme of ‘Only One Earth’, highlighting the need to live sustainably in harmony with nature by bringing transformative changes – through policies and our choices – towards cleaner, greener lifestyles. A beach cleaning drive will
be held to commemorate the day. NCC cadets and Samrat club will be part of the drive at Miramar, nukkad nataks onwards follow 7,
In line with the theme, CP will be launching the #AmkaNakaPlastic and #MakaNakaPlastic campaign in the
Panaj| Municipal Market on the occasion of World Environment Day. The campaign supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbelt (GIZ) GmbH India (German Corporation for International
Cooperation GmbH) and NGO partner The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) will run for 21 days starting on
World Environment Day and will culminate on 26″ June 2020. The campalgn will see volunteers interacting with shoppers and vendors through the distribution of #MakaNaka upcycled cloth carry bags with an aim to
reduce the use of single-use plastic bags In Panaj| and to begin a transition to more sustainable options. Six thousand bags will be distributed across Panaji, Margao and Mapusa markets.
“World Bicycle Day draws attention to the benefits of using the bicycle – a simple, affordable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation. It is a well-known fact that riding a bicycle is not
only good for one’s health but is also good for the environment as it is a zero pollution mode of transportation. Through the Cyclothon we aim to encourage citizens to adopt the use of bicycles in their daily lives” said Vivek Parsekar, Municipal Engineer, Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP).
“This cyclotron will be a landmark event for a city that is in dire need of its citizens to come together and adopt cleaner, sustainable mobility options”, stated Agnelo J Fernandes, Commissioner, Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP), who will be part of the cyclisation on 3rd June.
The registrations for the cuclothon have already begun, and attendees will Include teams from the Sensible Earth community and kids from the city. The participants of the cyclothon can register on the spot and will
receive medals for participation. The first 150 participants will receive T-shirts and a tote bag. The cyclothon
will begin and end at Garcia de Orta and will enroute through DB Bandodkar Marg, Dr Jack De Sequeira
Road, Dona Paula Beach, Diva Circle. Water refill stations will be available along the route, and refreshments will be provided.
Panjim Cycling Club has pledged support for the cyclothon and B-live, Panjim Cycling Club, Rotaract Club of Panaj| for the Cyclothon. Ta) Hotels will be sponsoring refreshments for the participants.