With an aim of providing free pilgrimage for people from all sections of society, the Punjab government had started "Mukh Mantri Tirath Darshan Yatra Yojana" under which pilgrims from all parts of the state visited various places of religious importance through trains. Under this scheme, now people would be able to go on pilgrimage through buses as well. A Jatha comprising more than 350 people from Ludhiana City, mostly women, left for the yatra of Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar in seven buses early today morning. These buses were flagged off by former MLA Mr Hira Singh Gabria and other senior Akali leaders.It is pertinent to mention that the jatha of around 350 people from Atam Nagar and Ludhiana South constituencies would be provided all facilities totally free of cost. These pilgrims would be accompanied by government officials as well.
While speaking to media persons, Hira Singh Gabria thanked Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal for starting this scheme, which has been well received by people from all sections of the society. He said that pilgrimage by buses have been started because some people could not go on pilgrimages to far off places. And now with the help of buses plying under this scheme, these people can also pay obeisance at places of religious importance. He informed that this pilgrimage would be totally free of cost and these buses would continue plying from all constituencies on regular basis.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Punjab BC Commission vice chairman Mr Nirmal Singh SS, Senior Akali leader Baba Ajit Singh, SOI Zonal President Mr Meetpal Singh Dugri, Councillor Mr Rakhwinder Singh Gabria, Youth Akali Dal leader Mr Prabhjot Singh Dhaliwal, besides several others.