The third pilgrimage train under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) for the financial year 2026-27 was virtually flagged off by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari from Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

The train, which commenced its journey from Sambalpur Railway Station, is carrying 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officers from eight districts of Odisha. The participating districts are Sambalpur, Angul, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sundargarh and Deogarh.

As part of the pilgrimage, the senior citizens will visit the religious destinations of Varanasi and Ayodhya. The train is scheduled to return to Sambalpur on September 27.

The Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana aims to facilitate senior citizens in undertaking pilgrimages to important religious destinations through organised and coordinated travel arrangements. Escort officers have been assigned to accompany the pilgrims throughout the journey and provide assistance and coordination as required.

The virtual flag-off ceremony was witnessed by senior officials and dignitaries at Sambalpur Railway Station. Those present included RDC Sambalpur Sangram Keshari Mohapatra, Sambalpur Collector and District Magistrate Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rehan Khatri and ADM Sambalpur Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi, among others.

The commencement of the third pilgrimage train under the scheme in the current financial year is aimed at providing senior citizens with an opportunity to visit important religious and cultural centres while ensuring a safe and structured pilgrimage experience.

The post Third BNTY Pilgrimage Train Carries 775 Senior Citizens to Varanasi and Ayodhya appeared first on Odisha Connect.