Patnaik flags off train carrying senior citizens on pilgrimage

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Saturday flagged off a train carrying senior citizens on a pilgrimage at Balasore railway station through video conferencing.

Under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) programme of the state government around 3,000 pilgrims get an opportunity to go on a pilgrimage every year.

The train will take senior citizens to Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Mathura in North India during the seven-day tour. At least 964 senior citizens from 4 districts boarded the special train.

The pilgrims consisted of 305 senior citizens from Balasore, 179 from Bhadrak, 201 from Jajpur and 270 from Mayurbhanj district. From this year onwards, 6,000 senior citizens can take on the journey with three more trains from Balasore, Titilagarh and Rayagada, an official release said.

(With inputs from agencies.)