Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday via video conferencing flagged off a Special Train under, ‘Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana’, from Balasore to Ujjain and Omkareswar. As many as 970 senior citizens from Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, and Keonjhar districts of the State are on the pilgrimage trip accompanied by 30 escort officers.
The train which chugged off from Balasore will cover the pilgrimage centres of Ujjain and Omkareswar.
This is the 6th year of Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana from its inception in the year 2016-17.
The scheme was launched by State Government to enable the poor and deprived senior citizens of the State for realization of their lifelong dream of having one Tirtha Yatra (Pilgrimage) to fulfilment of their spiritual aspirations with the support of the State Government.
So far, 24 such trips have been organized in collaboration with IRCTC under this Yojana benefiting more than 23,669 senior citizens having age group of 60 to 75 years of the State.
In the current financial year, 10 such trips are scheduled.
Chief Minister in his message urged the pilgrims to seek blessings for family, friends, and people of Odisha.
“The Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana is a testament to our values and our commitment to providing a fulfilling and dignified life to our senior citizens,” the Chief Minister said.
Travel fare, accommodation, food, healthcare and other miscellaneous facilities will be borne by the State Government under this programme.
Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra, OTDC Chairman Lenin Mohanty, Collector, Balasore Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, BNTYY Advisor Durga Prasad Samantaray, Addl. Secretary Balamukunda Bhuyan, Asst. Director (Research) Saroj Kumar Jena were present on the occasion.
