Hyderabad : In the last 10 weeks, Raahgiri Day has become the biggest and coolest citizens’ initiative in Hyderabad.  It has been a game changer in terms of bringing awareness about non -motorized transport and need for public places.  Physical activity of the people though in small number is on the increase.

The Temporary closing of the street to motor vehicles helped in sensitizing people towards sustainable transportation, developing safe streets for all road users, promoting Road Safety,  advocating healthier lifestyles, addressing issue around air pollution,  inclusive city development,  Improving quality of life in the city

Nearly 50,000 people have participated in Raahgiri by the end of the tenth week. Awareness has been created through media among the lakhs of people. Large number of them are regular visitors. Infact Raahgiri is waking up people, who otherwise would have confined to their homes and relax within four walls of the home.

I never use to wake up before 11.00 am on a Sunday morning. And the only recreation time on a Sunday is to visit shopping malls & movies. We did not had many options. But Raahgiri changed my life habits. Now I am looking forward every Sunday and waking up by 05am to reach Raahgiri, said one of the IT employee in a FM Radio conversation with Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, MD of TSIIC, the man behind Retrofitting of IT Parks & Raahgiri initiatives

That’s what our objective was, reiterates Mr. Jayesh Ranjan. To improve the healthy life styles and create more public spaces in Cyberabad and make this a best place not only for work but also to live he said.

If Raahgiri is rocking on somany counts in Hyderabad, there is one organization, people of twin cities owe a lot. And that is TSIIC.  TSIIC–Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation under the 5 point program or Retrofitting of IT Parks launched Raahgiri.  Together with Cyberabad Police and their support, Raahgiri has become the most happening community activity.

The initiative, The Retrofitting when it was launched in July 2014, immediately after the news government swung into power with the aim of improving economic performance, work environment, employability and environmental aspects.

Mr. E.V, VenkataNarsimha Reddy, Executive Director of TSIIC says, the five-point agenda programme includes making the existing building green and barrier-free, waste management (both solid and e-waste) in industrial parks, promotion of ‘cycle-to-work’, increasing green cover in the zone and storm-water management along with rain water harvesting he informed

To take forward Retrofitting program, TSIIC iniated Raahgiri. Eleven weeks down the lane, Raahgiri is now a eagerly looking forward to weekly affair for the people around Cyberabad.  Raahgiri is changing lives of ” Cyberabadi’s . It has become a platform where various activities are being done to create awareness  about making a Green Cyberabad

Huge response received  from the corporate companies for Raahgiri is an indication of how this initiative made a difference.  Because of these changes many Companies are willingness to come forward to support this initiative. Industry forums like HYSEA, TiE, NASSCOM using Raahgiri to spread their messages on various issues. A startup community event was held as part of the Raahgiri Day. Also, Cyberabad Security Council for woman used this platform to conduct RaahgiriForWoman last week. CSC conducted a cycling ride to promote cycle to work. From coming three weeks the focus of Raahgiri will be to Cycle to Work.  TAF(The Active Fraternity), which is partner in the initiative has played very big role in inclucating habit of cycling to the work places. “Almost 400 people line up each week at our free bicycle renting facility. This is apart from many other groups who pre-order bicycles from us for their cycling events” sayd Deenanath founder of TAF Sports.

Another indication for growing popularity of cycling to work is Cycling Stations, Cycling Tracks. Some companies went ahead and created parking stations for cycles. Cycling is back with bang. Cycle Tracks, Cycle Parking Places, Cycle Repairs etc are coming up. Lot of corporate executives are using cycling to

office. We want to encourage more to bike to work. It helps to build a healthy workforce.  There is no denying fact that healthy employees boost a company’s bottom line.  Cycling is a recreation, fitness exercise and many more informed Jayesh Ranjan, MD of TSIIC.   250 CEOs participated in a first of its kind of Bicycle Ride of Hyderabad CEOs organised by TAF.

The perception of two wheeler parking is changing now in city. Two wheeler means now cycle as well. Some of the companies are coming up with exclusive cycle parking for the beauties which IT people call as Bike

Cycling is the new golf. It is a self initiated initiative by many in city today.  Get fit, go green and save money on fuel by biking observed Vishala, Consultant – IdentCITY, who is planning to organise some Cycling Events. We have many CEOs who cycle to their offices.

Google, JDA, HSBC, ADP, Broadridge, Wells Fargo, GE, Tech Mahindra and Bank of America are some of the companies that promote cycling as a mode of commuting among their employees in a big way.  Some of them even have separate cycle parking areas.

“Cities across the world have now started re-purposing the roads designed for vehicles into streets designed for people. We should learn from these examples and design our roads to promote sustainable travel choices. Raahgiri Day is indeed a pilot project to showcase to the stakeholders that people can indeed be happy by reducing the space allocated to vehicles on the roads” said Prashanth Bachu, Project Manager of EMBARQ India.

TSIIC is also planning to work with EMBARQ India on few other issues related to sustainable transport.  EMBARQ India is a non-profit organization that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people’s lives.  It works together with local municipal authorities to reduce pollution, improve public transport and create safe, accessible and attractive urban public spaces. The organization has more than 40 experts in fields of Architecture, Transportation Engineering and Urban Planning, Working Across more than 20 cities in the country.

People engagement is key in any initiative. PPP model is not only in the Infrastructure but also in the community initiatives to be worked out. Our intention is to create active communities to make our next plans successful. We are very happy with the response from various organizations, companies and individuals on Raahgiri initiative. We will work towards more such platforms in future to make Cyberabad an attractive destination for opportunities and growth sayd Mr. Jayesh Ranjan.