CM pedals 5.5-km in 21min, 18 sec

Visakhapatnam: Settingan example for people to opt for eco-friendly travel on the occasion of ‘World Environment Day’, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu led a bicycle rally that stretched up to 5.5-km in Visakhapatnam on June 5 (Friday).

Waving hands and greeting people looking at him in awe with a smile all along the route, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu pedalled five-and-a-half-km from Andhra University Engineering Grounds to Hotel Novotel in just 21 minutes and 18 seconds.

Unhindered by the sweltering summer heat, the Chief Minister reached the hotel pedalling along with an army of public representatives and officials, passing via III Town Police Station, Polamamba Temple and Waltair in Visakhapatnam.

Unveiling a ‘Net Zero’s vision for Andhra University, urging institutions to adopt sustainable practices and increase green cover to combat climate change, the Chief Minister mentioned that AU should become a model university, guiding all affiliated colleges and become one of the top three universities in the world. He urged the students to become part of the action plan and share best ideas with professors and staff.

The Chief Minister directed AU Vice Chancellor GP Raja Sekhar to prepare an action plan to realise Net Zero vision, manage solid waste efficiently, follow a circular economy, utilise biogas for cooking, convert to renewable energy, set up STPs, facilitate PNG and incorporate electric cookstoves. “Involving professors from various departments and outsourcing agencies, a committee would be formed to execute the action plan and promote in-house knowledge. The university should offer a pleasant experience to students where they should love to pursue their studies,” the CM advocated.

Expressing concern over extreme heatwave conditions in the recent past and environmental imbalance, Chandrababu Naidu called for shared contribution to shoulder the onus of mitigating climate change.

Highlighting the government’s afforestation efforts, the CM said Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan is spearheading an initiative to distribute 5 crore seed balls across the state.

Encouraging office-goers to opt for bicycles as their mode of transport to workplaces, the Chief Minister said, “Cycling not just contributes to environment but also helps people stay healthy. Dedicated cycle paths will be facilitated soon. More importantly, cycling should not be confined to photo shoots but has to become a way of life.”

Planting a sapling at the campus, CM sets a target to achieve 50 percent green cover in AP by 2047.