CISF cyclothon to raise awareness on coastal security
Times of India | 5 March 2025
12 Kolkata: Central Industrial Security Force is embarking on a major outreach with citizens across the country with a 25-day cyclothon that will cover the entire Indian coast.
Two sets of cyclists will start the ride on March 7 from Bakkhali in Bengal on the east coast and Lakhpat in Gujarat on the west coast and converge at Swami Vivekananda Memorial in Kanyakumari on March 31. Altogether, 125 CISF personnel, including 14 women, will participate in the Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon that will cover 6,553 km across 11 states and UTs.
"The cyclothon, on the 56th year of CISF's establishment, is an endeavour to reach out to people of the country and familiarise them with the force while raising awareness about national security along the coastal areas and alert them about the dangers of smuggling drugs, weapons and explosives. The team that starts from Bengal will pass the baton to those from Odisha, which will in turn hand it over to the force in Andhra Pradesh, followed by Tamil Nadu and finally Pondicherry. The cyclists will ride through Haldia, Digha, Konark, Paradeep, Vizag, Chennai and Pondicherry. Similarly, cyclists on the west coast will pass through Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore and Kochi," said CISF IG Sikhar Sahai.
Recognising the endurance requirement of the cyclists who will be travelling 95-180 km daily, the participants underwent a month-long training. The training regimen at CISF's regional training centre in MP's Barwaha included progressive long-distance cycling sessions to build endurance, hill climbing to enhance leg strength and cardiovascular capacity, interval training to improve speed and efficiency, cross-training activities like swimming and strength training to prevent injuries, nutrition and hydration education, and recovery strategies to prevent injury.
Each participant underwent fitness tests in which their cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal integrity and overall physical suitability were evaluated.
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