Odisha’s Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, today virtually inaugurated the third pilgrimage train under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) for FY 2026-27 from Lokseva Bhawan.
The special train departed from Sambalpur Railway Station with 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officers drawn from eight districts—Sambalpur, Anugul, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sundargarh and Deogarh. The pilgrims will visit the sacred cities of Varanasi and Ayodhya before returning to Sambalpur on 27 September 2026.
The BNTYY scheme offers senior citizens of Odisha a safe, organised pilgrimage to major religious destinations. Designated escort officers travel with the group to provide assistance and coordination throughout the journey, allowing participants to experience the spiritual and cultural heritage of these historic sites.
Senior officials present at Sambalpur Railway Station included RDC Sangram Keshari Mohapatra, Collector Shri Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, Municipal Commissioner Rehan Khatri and ADM Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi.
The launch of the third train this financial year reaffirms the State Government’s commitment to enabling elderly citizens to undertake journeys of faith and cultural discovery in a well-supported manner.
