CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon–2026: Strengthening coastal security through people’s participation
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on January 28 launched the CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon–2026, a nationwide public outreach and awareness initiative aimed at strengthening coastal security through community participation. The event was virtually flagged off from the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
India’s coastline, spanning 72 districts and home to nearly 18 per cent of the country’s population, plays a vital role in the nation’s economic and strategic framework. Accounting for around 12 per cent of India’s mainland area, the coastal belt supports a maritime sector that handles nearly 95 per cent of trade by volume and about 70 per cent by value through 12 major ports and over 200 minor and intermediate ports. The coastline also hosts more than 3,300 coastal villages and several critical installations linked to defence, space, atomic energy, petroleum and shipping, highlighting the importance of robust coastal security backed by public involvement.
The 2026 edition builds on the experience of the inaugural Cyclothon held last year. The CISF Cyclothon–2025 was flagged off virtually by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 7, 2025, with two cycling teams starting simultaneously from Lakhpat in Gujarat and Bakkhali in West Bengal, covering the western and eastern coastlines. Over 25 days, the teams travelled 6,553 km with 125 participants, including 14 women, and organised major events at locations such as Surat, Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Kochi, Kanyakumari, Haldia, Konark, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.
Community engagement formed the core of the 2025 initiative. CISF teams interacted with traditional fishing communities across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, focusing on awareness related to vessel registration, tracking systems, maritime boundary awareness, drug trafficking, human trafficking, smuggling and the 24×7 Search and Rescue Helpline (1554). Fishermen were recognised as “Tat Prahari”, or coastal sentinels, for their role in assisting security agencies. Outreach programmes also included interactions with schoolchildren, medical staff, community leaders and other stakeholders, along with cultural events reflecting coastal traditions.
The Cyclothon aligned with broader coastal security measures such as Operation Sajag, coordination with coastal police stations, Joint Operations Centres and the Prime Minister’s SAGAR vision—Security and Growth for All in the Region. According to CISF, the initiative saw participation from over 25 lakh people on the ground and digital engagement of more than 2.5 crore citizens, with over 1,100 registered cyclists taking part.
With the flag-off of the 2026 edition, two CISF cycling teams have once again set out simultaneously from Bakkhali in West Bengal and Lakhpat in Gujarat. Over 25 days, the teams will collectively traverse around 6,500 km along India’s eastern and western coastlines, covering nine coastal states and two Union Territories, before culminating at Kochi on February 22, 2026.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by several senior dignitaries, including Pallavi Jain Govil, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; Shatrujeet Kapur, IPS, Director General, ITBP; Praveer Ranjan, IPS, Director General, CISF; Rakesh Asthana, IPS, Director General, NIA; Gaurav Dwivedi, IAS, CEO, Prasar Bharati; and Sanjay Singhal, IPS, Director General, SSB, along with other senior officers. The dignitaries also participated in a short cycle rally near India Gate to symbolically extend their support to the cyclists.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the Cyclothon is being organised to commemorate 150 years of “Vande Mataram”, the iconic song that inspired India’s freedom struggle and continues to guide generations in the spirit of national service. He emphasised that coastal security can be strengthened only through active public participation, particularly by coastal communities.
Highlighting a key institutional milestone, the Minister noted that CISF has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, placing the force at the centre of India’s maritime and port security architecture. He added that the initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s SAGAR vision, anchored in the theme ‘सुरक्षित तट, समृद्ध भारत’ (Secure Coast, Prosperous India).
The ceremony featured choral singing of “Vande Mataram” and a CISF band performance, creating a strong sense of national pride.
During the journey, the Cyclothon will halt at 52 coastal villages, which will be adopted by CISF for sustained year-long engagement. In coordination with stakeholders such as ONGC, port authorities and other maritime agencies, CISF units will undertake community welfare and infrastructure development activities through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. With 47 CISF units located near the coastline, the force aims to ensure long-term engagement with these adopted villages. Notably, women constitute 50 per cent of the participating cyclists, marking a significant step towards gender inclusivity.
The Cyclothon will also see participation from personalities from sports, culture, cinema and public life during major events at Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Konark, Visakhapatnam and Chennai, before concluding in Kochi.
