Red beacon to pedal green message

BHOPAL: Mayor Alok Sharma pedalled around the state capital on Sunday spreading the message for a green city with a red beacon atop a bicycle.
Call it a case of over excitement or mockery of rules, city mayor went overboard, perched on bicycle with a red beacon at a cyclothon event organised by CII Young Indians, Green Planet Bicycle Rider's Association and Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) on the occasion of the World Environment Day.
During the event, green brigade showed immense enthusiasm towards a clean green city. Sharma surprised everyone with his innovative VIP bicycle.
Use of beacon on vehicles has been a controversial issue. After Sharma posed for photographs on the cycle and the pictures went viral, transport department officials refused to confirm or deny, whether mayor is permitted to use a beacon.
Later, the mayor said, "A young kid brought the cycle to me. He had modified it and wanted me to ride. I rode it for a small distance in the park. It was not my intention to demean the symbol of a red beacon. My riding the cycle was to encourage the kid's enthusiasm for being eco-friendly."
A senior transport department official, "The list of dignitaries and officials permitted to use beacons on vehicles is frequently updated. I am not sure if the mayor is on the list."
As per a government order and rule-108 of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules-1989, mayor does not have the right to use a beacon on official vehicle.