Das flags off special pilgrimage train

RANCHI: Chief minister Raghubar Das flagged off the first special train for underprivileged senior citizens under Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana (Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme) from Hatia railway station to Puri on Saturday.
He said the government is willing to connect people from all the communities with the scheme. As many as 1,000 elderly passengers including 500 persons from Ranchi, 200 from Gumla, 100 from Simdega, Khunti and Lohardaga departed for the religious journey in 15 sleeper class coaches.
They will be visiting Konark, Jagannathpur, Surya and Lingaraja temples through the assistance of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and returning to Hatia on November 15.
Tourism secretary Rahul Sharma said facilities of a doctor, nodal officer, railway officer as well as water and meal are available during the journey.
An individual aged 60 years and above from the below poverty line is eligible to travel in the special train twice in his or her life span on government expense.
A number of such trains for the same destination would be flagged off from Tatanagar on November 18, Bokaro on November 24 followed by Palamu and Santhal Pargana.
State tourism, art, culture, sports and youth affairs minister Amar Kumar Bauri applauded the effort quoting the moment a remarkable trip for the people witnessing the last phase of their lives.