Mumbai Welcomes CISF Cyclists for Coastal Cyclothon 2026; Citizens Join the Move

Mumbai welcomed a total of 130 CISF personnel, which included 65 women personnel, at Mumbai's Gateway of India as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) hosted a grand event of the Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026, on February 11. 

As part of its national coastal outreach initiative, 'Vande Mataram – Surakshit Tat, Samriddh Bharat', the Western Coast team of VMCC–2026 reached Mumbai from its 6,553 km coastal awareness journey, which had started from Daman and will continue till Kochi. 

The evening programme witnessed guests like Rahul Narwekar, Speaker, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly,  Praveer Ranjan, IPS, Director General, CISF, Rajesh Aggarwal, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, and Deven Bharti, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.

The dignitaries also felicitated the cyclists, presented medals and interacted with participants, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in coastal security, the 'Blue Economy' and anti-drug trafficking awareness.

"This is the second year, and the aim of the CISF has been to raise awareness about the coastal security by interacting wth the coastal village residents and the fisherfolk communities," says a CISF official."

Talking to Local Samosa, and ahead of the event, he further informs that the number of women offiicers were increased this time. "While there were women CISF officials last time also, we realised how important it was to add more women so that the women community from these villages could talk to them," he further says. 

In the Cyclathon, the CISF aims to include the fisher communities to highlight the importance of coastal residents as “Tat Praharis” (Coastal Sentinels). "Currently, CISF is deployed at all 12 major ports in the country, so we want to make the communities aware so that they can alert us in case of any threat or emergency." 

Citing an example, the official says, "The villagers know the boats of their areas; in case they spot any new boat, it can be a threat, and these are the things the officials are training about while cycling." 

Started on January 28, the CISF personnel are covering the western coastline and have been staying with the villagers in the government premises, such as schools. 

As they reached Vasai on February 10 and started their journey to the Gateway of India, the officials also invited Mumbai residents to join from specific points like Vasai, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and other spots. 

The former Bicycle mayor of Mumbai, Firoza Suresh, who also joined the initiative to promote fitness, says, "When we ride together, we build stronger communities. My motivation comes from the belief that every pedal stroke can inspire change."

Speaking to Local Samosa, she also reiterates, "The cyclothon’s mission to raise awareness about coastal security among villagers deeply resonates with me, because real security begins with informed and empowered communities, similar to how we engaged the cycling community through the Bicycle Councillor program and a strong message of Cycle Chala City Bacha."

The cultural segment of the event featured traditional performances, including “Vande Mataram” group songs by CISF wards, a solo sitar recital by Chirag Katti, and a colourful bouquet of folk dances such as Kathak by Shila Mehta, Rajasthani, Gujarati and Koli dance, along with a special Ganesh Utsav performance curated by the Maharashtra Cultural Department. 

Bollywood celebrities Anil Kapoor and Boney Kapoor, along with former India cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar, actor Ahaan Shetty and Ayush Mhatre from the U-19 Indian Cricket Captain and recent world champion, also arrived at the event.

The Cyclothon will now move towards Kochi, which will be concluded with a mega event on February 22.