Thiruvananthapuram | Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, on Tuesday said that cycling has a significant role to play in India's journey towards becoming a developed nation.

He was addressing participants while taking part in the Cycling by the Sea event, organised by the Sports Authority of India here as part of the Fit India Movement.

The cycling rally was held from Chacka ITI to Shanghumukham Beach.

Speaking on the occasion, Mandaviya said that a healthy nation can only be built through healthy citizens and described cycling as the key to a healthy lifestyle.

He pointed out that, besides promoting good health, cycling also helps reduce pollution, ease traffic congestion and conserve fuel.

Urging people to make cycling a regular habit, the minister also highlighted the Sundays on Cycle initiative under the Fit India Movement.

Mandaviya noted that the Sundays on Cycle programme, which began at just 200 locations, has now expanded to 10,000 locations, with nearly 2,00,000 people participating. He also congratulated the children and youth who have been actively taking part in the initiative.

The Union Minister joined the cycling rally from Chacka ITI to Shanghumukham Beach alongside women's groups comprising ASHA workers and Kudumbashree members, athletes from the Sports Authority of India, and cycling enthusiasts.

Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Mayor V V Rajesh accompanied the Minister during the event.

The rally, participated in by around 200 people, was flagged off at Chacka by BJP MLA V Muraleedharan and Arjuna Award winner P R Sreejesh. A Zumba session for participants was also conducted ahead of the rally, according to an official statement.

The initiative was organised to promote Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Fit India Movement, to encourage people to adopt an active and healthy lifestyle through cycling and other physical fitness activities, it added.