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65 Women CISF Cyclists to Cover 6,500 km Coastline in Vande Mataram Cyclothon

The Central Industrial Security Force is launching the second edition of the 'Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026' on January 28. The 25-day event will feature 150 cyclists, half of them women, covering nearly 6,500 kilometers along both the eastern and western coastlines. The initiative aims to strengthen coastal security awareness and engage communities, especially fishermen, to act as vigilant sentinels. The cyclothon commemorates 150 years of 'Vande Mataram' and will be formally flagged off from Delhi by the Minister of State for Home Affairs.

Key Points: CISF Vande Mataram Cyclothon 2026: Women Lead Coastal Security Ride

  • 65 women CISF personnel participating
  • 6,500 km coastal route over 25 days
  • Aims to boost coastal security awareness
  • Commemorates 150 years of Vande Mataram
  • Engages fishermen as frontline sentinels
3 min read

65 women personnel to cover India's coastline in CISF Vande Mataram Cyclothon: DIG N Prakash Reddy

65 women CISF personnel to cycle 6,500 km along India's coast in a 25-day security awareness cyclothon, flagged off from Delhi on Jan 28.

"There will be 65 female personnel covering both the West and East coasts - DIG N Prakash Reddy"

South Goa, January 20

The Central Industrial Security Force will roll out the second edition of its ambitious 'Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026' from January 28, aiming to strengthen coastal security awareness while promoting fitness, discipline and national unity.

Speaking on the sidelines of preparations in Goa, N Prakash Reddy, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Airport Sector, Western Zone, said the cyclothon will see strong participation from women personnel across both coasts.

"There will be 65 female personnel covering both the West and East coasts, starting on 28th January. The West Coast leg will begin at Lakhpat Fort in Gujarat, covering Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka, and will culminate in Kerala on 21st February with the final event," Reddy said.

He added that the East Coast journey will start from Haldia in West Bengal, pass through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu, and also conclude in Kerala, with both routes converging in Kochi.

The pan-India cyclothon, spanning nearly 6,500 kilometres over 25 days, will pass through nine coastal states and feature 10 mega events along the route. A total of 150 cyclists, with 50 per cent women participants, will take part.

The event will be formally flagged off on January 28 from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi, by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, in the presence of CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan.

Highlighting Goa's role in the initiative, Reddy said, "A mega event is scheduled in Goa on 15th February at Chicalim Panchayat. We encourage large crowds to come together, support the cyclists and attend the mega event."

The cyclothon, being organised from January 28 to February 22, 2026, is being held to commemorate 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'. It is designed as a large-scale outreach programme to engage coastal communities, youth, fishermen and students on issues of maritime security, vigilance and active citizenship.

CISF officials said the initiative aims to sensitise coastal residents, particularly fishermen, to act as "Tat Praharis" or frontline sentinels by remaining alert to suspicious activities along the shoreline and at sea.

Addressing a recent conference, CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan underlined the strategic importance of India's coastline, noting that nearly 18 per cent of the population lives in coastal districts, while around 95 per cent of India's trade by volume and 70 per cent by value moves through the maritime domain.

Officials also highlighted the role of the Blue Economy, which contributes about four per cent to India's GDP and supports millions of livelihoods through fisheries, ports, shipping and coastal tourism.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Combining fitness, coastal security awareness, and the 150th year of Vande Mataram is a brilliant concept. Our coastline is vital for trade and security. Engaging local communities as 'Tat Praharis' is a smart move.
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Aman W
While I appreciate the effort, I hope this isn't just a symbolic event. Real coastal security needs sustained investment in surveillance tech and better coordination between agencies, not just a 25-day cyclothon. The intent is good though.
S
Shreya B
As someone from a coastal district in Kerala, I think involving fishermen is key. They are the true eyes and ears of the sea. If this event helps build that bridge between security forces and local communities, it will be a huge success.
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Vikram M
6,500 km in 25 days is no joke! Hats off to the cyclists. The route covering both coasts and converging in Kochi is a great way to symbolize national unity. Hope the mega event in Goa gets a big turnout.
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Michael C
Interesting read. The statistics about 95% of trade by volume moving through maritime routes really puts the strategic importance into perspective. Public awareness campaigns like this are crucial for holistic security.

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