Odisha flagged off a special pilgrimage train from Sambalpur to Ayodhya and Varanasi, carrying 775 senior citizens under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik led the ceremonial departure.
The initiative involved coordination between the state tourism department, Indian Railways, and district administration. Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, former MLA Nauri Nayak, IG Himanshu Lal, Collector Siddheshwar Bondar, SP Mukesh Bhamu, and other officials attended the event.
Minister Naik stated that nearly 8,000 elderly citizens across Odisha have benefited from the scheme. He prayed for a safe and fulfilling journey for all participants. Minister Pujari emphasized that the program supports spiritual aspirations of economically weaker senior citizens who cannot afford such travel.
The train includes pilgrims from Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Deogarh, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bolangir, and Bargarh. The administration arranged food, water, shelter, medical checkups, and escort officers to ensure comfort and safety.
Escort officers received instructions to prioritize the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey. A dedicated medical team accompanied the group to handle health concerns.
The pilgrimage train reflects Odisha’s commitment to inclusive welfare and cultural preservation. The initiative honors the elderly and provides them with a meaningful spiritual experience.
Under this scheme, the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Train departed from Sambalpur Railway Station toward Ayodhya and Varanasi. The train includes 89 pilgrims from Sambalpur district, 52 from Subarnapur, 27 from Deogarh, 109 from Angul, 50 from Jharsuguda, 180 from Sundargarh, 141 from Bolangir, and 127 from Bargarh—totaling 775 senior citizens who received the opportunity to visit the sacred sites of Ayodhya and Varanasi.
Arrangements for food, drinking water, and shelter have been made for the pilgrims. Additionally, a medical team and 25 escort officers are accompanying the group to address health-related concerns and ensure their well-being.
