Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the 8th trip of the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) from Bhubaneswar Railway Station today. This pilgrimage train, approved during the 2023-24 period, will see a total of 1000 pilgrims, including 960 from the districts of Khurdha, Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsingpur, and Dhenkanal, along with 40 Escort Officers, embarking on a spiritual journey to Tirupati-Vellore.
In its 8th year since inception in 2016-17, the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana was launched by the State Government to fulfill the lifelong dreams of poor and deprived senior citizens in the state. The scheme aims to provide an opportunity for senior citizens aged between 60 and 75 years to undertake a pilgrimage, realizing their spiritual aspirations with the support of the State Government.
This marks the 28th trip under the scheme, benefiting a total of 27,669 pilgrims, including Escort Officers. In collaboration with IRCTC, the State Government has organized 27 such trips, enabling more than 26,669 senior citizens to embark on fulfilling Tirtha Yatras.
The Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana stands as a testament to the commitment of the State Government in supporting and uplifting the elderly population by facilitating meaningful and spiritual journeys.