Cleaner, healthier, cheaper

NASHIK: Nashik's doctors are trying to ride a point home regarding the environment. In the bargain, they may escape the pinch of the increased fuel prices.

As part of a campaign to check pollution by reducing vehicular usage, many doctors in Nashik are riding bicycles to their clinics.

On the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, about 60 doctors on bicycles also carried banners with slogans like 'Save environment, Save health' to send a message across to citizens.

"Since we started this rally, the number of doctors riding bicycles to their clinics has increased. We feel it is one of the best ways not only to reduce pollution but also to keep fit. We have also urged students to observe a 'cycle day'," said Dr Hitendra Mahajan.

"For students to start using bicycles we need to give confidence to their parents that the roads are safe. For this, we approached the municipal authorities demanding a separate cycle route as in Pune," he added.

"There are plans for two roads to have cycle routes in the city. Seeing the increasing traffic congestion and pollution, we want to encourage citizens to take to bicycles and so the cycle routes are being provided. They should be operational in a year's time," said Sunil Khune, superintendent engineer, Nashik Municipal Corporation.

To begin with, Trimmbak road and Dindori road will have a 2-km stretch of a separate cycle track.