Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off a trip of senior citizens pilgrims under Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) from Bhubaneswar railway station on Thursday.
As per an official release, this is the 8th trip of BNTYY pilgrimage train approved during 2023-24. A total of 1,000 (960 pilgrims along with 40 escort officers) from the districts of Khurda, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapada, Jagatsingpur, and Dhenkanal will visit Tirupati-Vellore, it said.
This is the eighth year of the scheme since its inception in the year 2016-17. The scheme was launched by the State government to enable the poor and deprived senior citizens to realise their lifelong dream of having a Titha Yatra to fulfill their spiritual aspirations.
So far, 28 such trips have been organised in collaboration with IRCTC under this Yojana benefiting more than 26,669 senior citizens (including escort officers) in the age group of 60 to 75 years.
A total of 27,669 pilgrims have availed the scheme till date, the release added.
