Ensure all necessary facilities for pilgrims: Chief Minister Chouhan
Sunday - April 17, 2022 8:39 am ,
Category : MADHYA PRADESH
Special train decorated with flowers will have bhajan troupe with food and drink arrangements
Pilgrims of the state will leave for Varanasi from Rani Kamalapati station on April 19
Chief Minister Chouhan will reach Rani Kamalapati station to meet pilgrims
Pilgrims from three districts will start the journey from Sagar station
CM Chouhan seeks information about for pilgrimage in meeting
Bhopal 16 April 2022: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the Madhya Pradesh government has helped the elderly realize their dream to visit atleast a big pilgrimage once in their lifetime. Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana is being started again with full preparations. The concerned departments and agencies should ensure all necessary facilities for the pilgrims.
Chief Minister Chouhan was seeking information about the preparations being made to re-implement Teerth-Darshan Yojana in a meeting held at his residence today. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Sheo Shekhar Shukla and other officers were present.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that he himself would reach to meet the pilgrims of the special train leaving on April 19 at 2 pm. These pilgrims will also be taken to see the birth place of Saint Ravidas and Saint Kabir Das along with the darshan of Lord Vishwanath in Varanasi. The pilgrims will return on April 22.
Chief Minister Chouhan inquired about the preparations and gave instructions to ensure facilities and proper arrangements for food during the journey besides accommodation and food at the destination. He said that Madhya Pradesh has made a separate place in the country by launching the Teerth Darshan Yojana. The state government has got the blessings of elderly people. The scheme is starting again after the Corona period. Chief Minister Chouhan said that all arrangements should be made for proper implementation of the scheme. According to the schedule, the first yatra will leave from Bhopal on April 19 afternoon and reach Varanasi on the morning of April 20 and on April 20 and 21, pilgrims will also attend Ganga Aarti after having darshan of Lord Vishwanath. Pilgrims will return to their home state on April 22. The Chief Minister said that the memento of Lord Vishwanath should be presented to the pilgrims while returning.
Arrangements made for Varanasi trip
It was informed in the meeting that 974 pilgrims from four districts of Bhopal division and three districts of Sagar division will travel under Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana. There will be 770 passengers from Bhopal, Sehore, Vidisha, Raisen of Bhopal division and 204 from Sagar, Damoh and Tikamgarh districts of Sagar division. There will be 617 passengers from Bhopal district, 51 from Vidisha, 51 from Raisen and 51 from Sehore. In Sagar division, 102 passengers have been selected from Sagar district, 51 from Damoh and 51 from Tikamgarh district.In a special arrangement, there will also be a bhajan troupe in the train. The members of the bhajan troupe will sing hymns from time to time during the yatra. The journey will start from Rani Kamalapati station by special train on April 19. The train will reach Varanasi at 6 am on 20th April via Sagar station. Pilgrims will be welcomed amidst beating of drums at the station. Along with this, pilgrims will be adorned with Tulsi malas. There will be arrangement of refreshment at Rani Kamalapati station for the pilgrims. Pilgrims will sit on the designated seat in a train adorned with flowers. Pilgrims from Vidisha, Sehore and Raisen districts including Bhopal will leave from Rani Kamalapati station. They will leave from Varanasi on April 21 at 6:30 pm. The return of the pilgrims will be on April 22 at 7:30 am at Sagar and at 11 am at Rani Kamalapati station.
Passengers from three districts will board train from Sagar station
After leaving Bhopal station at 2 pm on 19th April, the special train will reach Sagar station at 6 pm. From here selected pilgrims of Sagar, Damoh and Tikamgarh will be included. While returning, the pilgrims will be taken to the lodging venue by the prescribed vehicle. The officials of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation have also ensured necessary arrangements in Varanasi.
Main features of the scheme
It is necessary to be a native of Madhya Pradesh for eligibility under Mukhya Mantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana. The age of the pilgrim should be above 60 years. Relaxation of two years is given in respect of women. The pilgrim should not be an income tax payer and should be physically and mentally capable. He or she must not be suffering from any infectious disease. There is no age limit for an eligible person with over 60 percent disability. Those who have already been to the pilgrimage under the scheme will be eligible for yatra again only after five years. IRCTC has been made the agency for the operation of the scheme. IRCTC is also responsible for the convenience of the pilgrims. Map IT is also creating a portal to make the registration process of pilgrims completely transparent and online. The train’s tour package also includes food, road transport, budget, accommodation, tour escorts on board and off board. Pilgrims are offered morning and evening tea and snacks during the journey. Medicines, along with a doctor and assistant, are also arranged in the train by the state government. The state government also sends its security personnel along with railway security force for security purpose – Window to News
