While bicycling introduced in the ‘no vehicle zone' on the Beach Road from 5 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. has an overwhelming support, a survey found that the other leisure and fitness activities are also the reason for people to make a visit during that time.
Four second year MBA students of Integral Institute of Advanced Management (IIAM) conducted the survey as a part of their involvement in socially-oriented activities.
The survey conducted in January took a sample of 100 persons and elicited answers to a questionnaire from them.
Showing the preference of the young for fitness, 65 per cent of those sampled are in the 18 to 34 years of age and 46 per cent of the total visitors are regulars.
Besides cycling and walking, those visiting the beach are utilising it for jogging (13 per cent), yoga (12 per cent), swimming (5 per cent), skating (3 per cent), family outing (21 per cent) and meeting friends 36 per cent.
The survey was presented at a press conference on Monday.
Walkers are deriving a double advantage: 87 per cent walk and of them 45 also pedal.
Stray-dog menace
The survey was conducted by Sandeep G.V.M.S., Neeraj Kumar, Farina Akthar and Amrita Dash found that rash driving, a common feature on the Beach Road, has been reduced due to the introduction of the ‘no vehicle zone.' Simultaneously, it has brought down pollution levels, says assistant professor Ravi Aditya who guided them. There was concern about the menace of stray dogs.
While GVMC is insisting on identity cards, for a father going out with his kids this is a problem as only one can produce such a card. Hence it is desirable that more general ID are accepted. Suggestions included introducing more such zones and providing more bicycles.
IIAM Director B. Parvatiswara Rao says it is fourth such survey taken up by the institute as social activity. The other three were: operational conditions in the 12 rythu bazaars in the city, lack of awareness on postal insurance in spite of it giving more bonus and the benefits of online railway reservation. It will shortly take up another survey on relocation of slums.
IIAM Dean and Secretary S.P. Ravindra said the basic objective of the autonomous institute was to leverage its strength to ensure multi-dimensional personality of students.
It was also important to contribute to the well-being of society. With the city being labelled as a polluted one, initiatives of the GVMC should be welcomed, he said.
Mr. Ravindra is of the view that shedding ego people should turn to the use of two-wheelers and bicycles to bring down pollution.
PGP Committee chairman M.M. Rao said interaction with industry helped students in working as teams.
