The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, will launch two nationwide cycling expeditions under the Fit India Movement from October 31 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Titled “Iron Wheels of Unity”, the cycling expeditions — Kashmir to Kanyakumari (K2K) and Pedal to Plant — aim to spread the message of national integration, fitness, and environmental sustainability.
The K2K expedition will cover a distance of 4,480 kilometres, starting from Srinagar on October 31 and concluding in Kanyakumari on November 16. The route will pass through Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka before reaching Tamil Nadu. A total of 150 cyclists will take part in the journey, symbolising a tribute to Sardar Patel on his 150th birth anniversary.
Mountaineer Nisha Kumari, who summited Mount Everest in 2023 and cycled from India to London to raise awareness about climate change, will lead the K2K expedition.
The second leg, titled Pedal to Plant, will commence from Pangsau in Arunachal Pradesh and culminate in Mundra, Gujarat on December 31, covering around 4,000 kilometres. Riders will pass through Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Along the route, cyclists will plant one lakh saplings and organise fitness and climate awareness drives in educational institutions.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs, Sports, Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya extended his best wishes to the participants, calling the initiative a tribute to Sardar Patel’s legacy and a step toward a fitter, healthier India.
“Cycling is not only beneficial for personal fitness but also an effective tool to reduce pollution. I urge every citizen to dedicate 30 minutes to an hour daily to physical activity,” he said.
The initiative is an extension of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ movement and is expected to reduce over 1,00,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, reinforcing the campaign’s dual focus on health and environmental consciousness.