Get, stretch, fly: CISF initiative at select airports to prevent ‘potential health issues’

The CISF has introduced voluntary stretching exercises for passengers at boarding gates to promote a healthier travel experience.

Written by Hina Rohtaki

Chandigarh | Updated: January 5, 2025 01:49 AM IST

3 min read

Currently, the two- to three-minute exercise sessions are being conducted at Srinagar, Jodhpur, Dehradun, Udaipur, Gwalior, and Bhuntar airports. (Representational Image)

Passengers at select airports are now being encouraged to stretch and flex their muscles before boarding their flights, thanks to a new initiative by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This is said to be the first-of-its-kind move at airports globally.

The CISF has introduced voluntary stretching exercises for passengers at boarding gates to promote a healthier travel experience. It is also encouraging airline operators to adopt and expand the programme.

Currently, the two- to three-minute exercise sessions are being conducted at Srinagar, Jodhpur, Dehradun, Udaipur, Gwalior, and Bhuntar airports.

A senior CISF officer told The Indian Express, “We initiated voluntary stretching to enhance travellers’ waiting time at boarding gates. It is not only beneficial for passengers’ health but also helps prevent potential health issues caused by prolonged sitting or delays. Often, passengers avoid stretching in public for fear of looking odd, so we’ve made it an organised activity.”

Sources stated, “The Airport Security Headquarters has suggested to airport operators, airlines, and ASGs (Airport Security Groups) to implement brief exercise programmes to enhance the passenger experience. Stretching before boarding helps prevent muscle stiffness, improves blood circulation, reduces the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), and eases tension in key muscle groups such as calves, hamstrings, hips, shoulders, and neck.”

The CISF has trained its staff to guide passengers through six light stretching exercises, including side stretches, horizontal and vertical stretches, and calf muscle stretches.

“We have received an overwhelming response from passengers at airports where this routine has been introduced. During this foggy season, with frequent delays and extended sitting periods, these exercises are proving to be especially useful in improving blood circulation,” the officer added.

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Michael, a foreign traveller at one of the participating airports, said in his feedback to the CISF, “I’ve travelled to almost every country in the world and been to India over 20 times, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. Officials were leading stretching exercises with passengers at the airport. It’s a fantastic idea, and I hope it continues.”

Similarly, an Indian traveller at Gwalior airport shared in a feedback video, “I really appreciate this initiative. When you sit for long periods, it affects your body and blood circulation. These stretching exercises are crucial, and I hope they continue.”

There have been instances where medical issues arise on flights due to poor blood circulation. However, the CISF is recommending the exercises only to passengers without significant medical conditions.

Hina Rohtaki

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. She is one of the most prominent journalists covering the Chandigarh Administration, civic issues, and the unique political status of the Union Territory. Professional Background Experience: She has been in the field for over a decade and is known for her investigative reporting on administrative waste and urban governance. Awards: She is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award, which was presented to her by the President of India in January 2020. She was also awarded the Jethmalani prize (The Will of Steel Awards) in 2025 in the Empowerment category for a series of articles that highlighted the struggles of Covid widows. Core Beat: Her primary focus is the Chandigarh administrative structure, the Union Territory's financial management, and urban development projects. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent work highlights a focus on government accountability, administrative expenditures, and civic trends: 1. Investigative & Financial Reporting "Fuelling power: Senior UT IAS officers guzzled petrol worth Rs 30 lakh in 2 yrs" (Dec 14, 2025): An investigative report detailing the high fuel bills of top bureaucrats, including the Finance Secretary and Chief Secretary’s staff. "Admn spends Rs 1.5 crore on dismantling road railings and fixing again after increasing height" (Dec 8, 2025): Highlighting administrative waste on "non-viable" solutions for pedestrian control. "Chandigarh’s finances under ministry’s watch now" (Nov 27, 2025): Reporting on the new requirement for MHA approval for all new projects in the UT. 2. Governance & Constitutional Status "What will it mean for Chandigarh if it is brought under Article 240?" (Nov 24, 2025): An "Explained" piece on the potential constitutional shift that would grant the President more power over the UT's governance. "MP Manish Tewari moves Bill seeking directly elected Mayor with 5-year tenure" (Dec 6, 2025): Covering the legislative push to reform Chandigarh's municipal leadership structure. "No proposal to increase Mayor's term in Chandigarh by 5 years: Centre" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on the Union government's response to demands for a longer mayoral term. 3. Urban Infrastructure & Environment "Chandigarh admn cuts power to India's tallest air purifier, asks firm to dismantle it" (Nov 17, 2025): A critical report on the failure of a high-cost environmental project deemed "of no use" by experts. "UT rethinks 24/7 water supply project as costs soar" (Nov 26, 2025): Detailing the financial challenges and delays in modernizing the city's water network. "Centre 'obfuscating, covering up' MC's shifting deadlines for clearing Dadu Majra dump" (Dec 12, 2025): Reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the city's major waste dump. 4. Lifestyle & Local Trends "Chandigarh turns into a Thar city as women fuel the surge" (Dec 2, 2025): A feature on a unique automotive trend in the city, with a record 600 registrations by women drivers this year. "After fivefold spike in 2023, EV sales struggle to pick pace in Chandigarh" (Dec 2, 2025): Analyzing the slowdown in electric vehicle adoption despite previous surges. Signature Beat Hina is known for her meticulous tracking of RTI (Right to Information) data to expose administrative inefficiency. Her "Ground Zero" reporting on the Dadu Majra garbage dump and her scrutiny of the Chandigarh Smart City projects have made her a key figure in the city’s civil society discourse. X (Twitter): @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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