Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday flagged off the ‘Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana’ (BNTYY) through video conferencing at the state secretariat here on Saturday.
Under this programme, around 1,000 senior citizen pilgrims started their journey from Balasore to Agra, Fatepur Sikri and Mathura.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister wished the pilgrims a safe journey.
The senior citizen appreciated this initiative by the state government. “We will never forget this service offered by the Chief Minister,” said Ambika Mohanty, one pilgrim.
Under this programme, around 3,000 pilgrims get an opportunity to go on a pilgrimage in three trains from Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur and Sambalpur every year. From this year onwards, 6000 senior citizen can take on the journey with three more trains pressed into service from Balasore, Titilagarh and Rayagada, official sources said.
Among others, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda, Tourism Department Chief Secretary and Director were present.
