State transport employee goes on 350km cycle yatra to Badrinath

Gaurav.Talwar@timesgroup.com
DEHRADUN: A 32-year-old Uttarakhand Transport Corporation employee on Friday set off from here on a 350km cycle yatra to the Badrinath shrine. The UTC staffer, Amit Saini, said his cycle yatra will raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment as well as promote cycling as physical activity to stay healthy.
While most people would think twice before cycling to the shrine located at an elevation of over 10,000ft with a mean maximum temperature of 8°C, Saini, who works as an assistant in the of the regional manager of UTC, hopes to complete the solo ride to Badrinath in 13 days.
Saini told TOI: “I had made up my mind of travelling to Badrinath, the portals for which shall open on April 26, with a message to save the environment and promoting healthy living through physical activity.”
Saini expressed his concern about the rampant cutting of trees in the name of development and said he will raise awareness on the issue and encourage people to plant more trees. “All eyes are on the Char Dham yatra and I decided to undertake the pilgrimage thinking that it will draw attention to an issue that affects everyone,” said the UTC employee.
After completing his cycle yatra, Saini plans to continue working as a green crusader. Despite their initial hesitation about him embarking on the pedal yatra, Saini stayed determined and managed to get his family’s blessings for the expedition. “Finally, I was able to convince my family members and now I have their full support,” said Saini.
Before peddling-off on his cycle expedition, Saini planted three saplings inside the Uttarakhand Transport Corporation office on Gandhi Road on Friday.