Pilgrimage train to Varanasi flagged off

Ludhiana: Under the Punjab government's Chief Minister Tirath Darshan Yatra Scheme, a special train of 15 coaches, carrying pilgrims from Ludhiana to Varanasi was flagged off by irrigation minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon from Ludhiana railway station on Sunday. The train carried 1,050 pilgrims from Ludhiana and 30 officials accompanying them.
While speaking to mediapersons, Dhillon said the Punjab government was committed to promoting Punjabi culture and heritage for future generations.He said the Punjab government is also actively promoting tourism in the state.
He added that after enabling the pilgrims to do their rituals in Varanasi, the train would return to Ludhiana on February 10. He said the Punjab government would pay for this comfortable journey, enabling people to have a 'darshan' of holy places in Varanasi.
He said that under the scheme, pilgrims from different constituencies would be sent to holy places. He said any pilgrim could undertake this pilgrimage by simply providing his or her medical fitness certificate, and requisite identity proof, adding added that the railways would provide meals three times a day to all passengers aboard the train.