Bhubaneswar, 02 September (H.S.): The first Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme train of the 2026-27 financial year was flagged off from Bhubaneswar New Railway Station on Wednesday, carrying 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officials to Ayodhya and Varanasi.

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Industry Minister Sampad Swain and Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera flagged off the special train.

The pilgrims departed from Bhubaneswar on Wednesday and are scheduled to return on September 7. The pilgrimage is being organised free of cost, with food and other necessary arrangements made for the beneficiaries throughout the journey.

Before departure, the pilgrims completed registration and fingerprint scanning, while health screening was conducted a day earlier to ensure their fitness for the journey.

During the five-day pilgrimage, the senior citizens will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and witness the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi. Tour guides will accompany the pilgrims during the visits, while health insurance coverage has also been arranged for them.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said the government considers it a privilege to facilitate pilgrimage for senior citizens.

She said all 775 pilgrims underwent health screening before the journey and that district administrations had arranged transportation for beneficiaries from their homes to the railway station. Similar arrangements will be made to ensure their safe return home after the pilgrimage.

The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the deployment of tour guides and provision of health insurance to ensure a safe and comfortable pilgrimage for the senior citizens.

The Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme will subsequently be extended to beneficiaries from all districts of Odisha. District administrations have been tasked with facilitating the transportation of selected beneficiaries from their homes to the railway station and ensuring their return after completion of the pilgrimage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda