Under Punjab government's Chief Minister Tirath Darshan Yatra Scheme, the special train carrying pilgrims from Ludhiana to Varanasi was flagged off by Irrigation Minister Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon from Railway Station, Ludhiana today. This train comprises of 1,050 pilgrims from Ludhiana and 30 officials would also be accompanying them.
While speaking to media persons, Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that the Punjab government is committed for promoting Punjabi culture and heritage as it is our duty for promoting it for our future generations. He said that the Punjab government is also promoting tourism in the state.
He said that the train will have around 15 coaches and after enabling 1050 pilgrims to have darshan of Varanasi, the train will return to Ludhiana on February 10. He said that the Punjab government will pay for this comfortable journey enabling people to have darshan of the holy places in Varanasi. He said that under this scheme, pilgrims from different constituencies would be sent to holy places for a religious journey. He informed that funds amounting to around Rs 187 crore are being spent for this purpose.He said that any pilgrim can undertake this pilgrimage by simply giving his or her medical fitness medical fitness certificate and requisite identity proof. He added that the railways will provide meals thrice a day to all the passengers aboard the train.
Prominently among those present on the occasion included CM's advisor Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLAs Manpreet Singh Ayali, Darshan Singh Shivalik, Ranjit Singh Dhillon, Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, DC Ravi Bhagat, Punjab SSS Board Santa Singh Umedpuri, Madan Lal Bagga, Vijay Danav, Hira Singh Gabria, besides several others.