Bhubaneswar: As many as 775 senior citizens from Odisha embarked on a pilgrimage to Varanasi and Ayodhya under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) for the financial year 2026–27.

The third pilgrimage train under the scheme was virtually flagged off from Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

The train, which commenced its journey from Sambalpur Railway Station, is carrying 775 senior citizens along with 25 escort officers from eight districts — Sambalpur, Angul, Bargarh, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sundargarh and Deogarh.

During the pilgrimage, the senior citizens will visit the revered destinations of Varanasi and Ayodhya and experience their religious, spiritual and cultural heritage.

The BNTYY aims to facilitate senior citizens from Odisha in visiting important pilgrimage destinations through a safe and organised travel arrangement. Escort officers accompany the pilgrims throughout the journey to provide assistance and ensure coordination.

The pilgrimage train is scheduled to return to Sambalpur on September 27, 2026.

The virtual flag-off ceremony was witnessed by senior officials and dignitaries at Sambalpur Railway Station, including Sambalpur RDC Sangram Keshari Mohapatra, Collector and District Magistrate Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rehan Khatri and ADM Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi, among others.

The commencement of the third pilgrimage train under the BNTYY in the 2026–27 financial year highlights the state government's efforts to provide senior citizens with safe and organised opportunities to undertake religious and cultural journeys.