In a bid to improve public health, the Tamil Nadu government is launching an eight kilometre-long ‘health walk’ initiative on November 4, which will be implemented in all district headquarters of the state. The initiative will be kicked off by Chennai which will host the health walk that will have its start and end point at Dr. Muthulakshmi Park in Adyar covering Besant Avenue Road, Beach Road and Olcott school junction.
“If we walk for 8 km per day, it is equal to 10,000 steps a day and beneficial for our health. We have identified the 8-km walk track in all 38 districts and workers are underway to upgrade them,” Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Wednesday after inspecting the Chennai track.
The minister, inspired by an eight-km walking track that he had come across during an official visit to Tokyo, proposed in the state assembly that similar walking tracks would be established in all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu to encourage people to walk.
The road that will be covered during the walk has been re-laid to ensure there are no potholes or uneven surfaces, the minister said. Further, heavy-load vehicles will not be allowed on this track from 5 am to 8 am. “Walking for eight kilometres everyday equals 10,000 steps. This is advisable for good health,” he said.
