Odisha flagged off a special pilgrimage train from Sambalpur to Ayodhya and Varanasi, carrying 775 senior citizens under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari and Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik led the ceremonial departure.

The initiative involved coordination between the state tourism department, Indian Railways, and district administration. Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, former MLA Nauri Nayak, IG Himanshu Lal, Collector Siddheshwar Bondar, SP Mukesh Bhamu, and other officials attended the event.

Minister Naik stated that nearly 8,000 elderly citizens across Odisha have benefited from the scheme. He prayed for a safe and fulfilling journey for all participants. Minister Pujari emphasized that the program supports

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