Odisha to flag off first senior citizen pilgrimage train of FY 2025–26

Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government will flag off the first pilgrimage train of the 2025–26 financial year under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme on Wednesday, carrying 775 elderly passengers to Ayodhya and Varanasi.

The special train is scheduled to depart from Bhubaneswar Railway Station at 11 am on September 10, marking the start of this year’s spiritual tours for senior citizens across the state. Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo will formally inaugurate the service in the presence of several MPs and MLAs from Khordha, Puri, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, and Dhenkanal districts.

As part of the initiative, 775 senior citizens from six districts will participate in the pilgrimage. To ensure their safety, medical care, and logistical support, 25 escort officers will accompany the group throughout the journey.

The programme is being organised by the Odisha Tourism Department in collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and the Department of Tourism, Odisha, under the Incredible India campaign.

During the trip, the pilgrims will visit two of India’s most revered religious destinations — Ayodhya and Varanasi — before returning to the state. The government said the initiative is aimed at providing senior citizens with an opportunity to fulfill their spiritual aspirations in a safe and organised manner.