Kozhikode: Transport minister A.K. Saseendran inaugurated the eight-day Calicut Cycle Carnival held at GHSS, Karaparamba, here, on Friday. District panchayat president Babu Parassery presided over the function. MLA A. Pradeep Kumar was the chief guest.
After inaugurating the function, the minister promised a traffic park which would be built in the district to create awareness among the students on traffic laws.
A private company has been assigned to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the traffic park, which would cost more than `1 crore, he said. The work will begin in consultation with the municipality.
There will also be facilities for cycling and the use of electric vehicles in the park. Mr Saseendran also promised that there would be exclusive space for pedestrians and cyclists on the new roads, adding that e-autos also will be put in place in the city to reduce air pollution.
Minister A.K. Saseendran also inaugurated the Cycle Smile Charity project organiSed by NSS wing of District Higher Secondary schools.
The Minister flagged off the Green Express vehicle, which was launched in collaboration with the Haritha Kerala Mission and the District Committee of the Kerala Scrap Merchants Association.
The Calicut Bicycle Carnival is being organised as part of the Bicycle Brigade under the aegis of the district panchayat and the Green Care Mission Grand Cycle Challenge in association with various organisations and institutions.
The Bicycle Brigade project was launched to empower children to use their bicycles and to transform students to become the propagandists of various government missions.
Other events such as Bicycle Smile, Green Express, Bicycle Collection, Bicycle Clinic, Monsoon Bicycle Ride, E-Bicycle Expo, Countryside Photo Exhibition, Flash Mob and Innovation Expo also will be held in the coming days. The carnival would conclude on July 26.
