Bhubaneswar: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari virtually flagged off the third pilgrim age train under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) for FY 2026–27 from Lok Seva Bhavan Tuesday. The pilgrimage train, which commenced its journey from Sambalpur Railway Station, is carrying 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officers from eight districts – Sambalpur, Anugola, Baragada, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sundargada and Debagada. The pilgrims will undertake a spiritual journey to the revered pilgrimage destinations of Varanasi and Ayodhya.
The BNTYY has been designed to facilitate senior citizens of Odisha in undertaking pilgrimages to important religious destinations through a safe, organised and coordinated travel experience. Designated escort officers accompany the pilgrims throughout the journey to ensure necessary assistance and coordination. As part of the present pilgrimage, the senior citizens will visit Varanasi and Ayodhya, providing them an opportunity to experience the spiritual, religious and cultural heritage of these historic destinations. The pilgrimage train is scheduled to return to Sambalpur 27 September. The commencement of the third pilgrimage train under BNTYY during FY 2026–27 reaffirms the state government’s commitment to facilitating safe and meaningful pilgrimage experiences for senior citizens and enabling them to undertake journeys of faith, devotion and cultural discovery
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