UP govt and Railways team up to take senior citizens to Puri, Konark for free
Ishita Bhatia | TNN | Jan 20, 2016, 10.36 PM IST
MEERUT: The Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set t
Ishita Bhatia | TNN | Jan 20, 2016, 10.36 PM IST
MEERUT: The Uttar Pradesh government in collaboration with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is set t
o undertake a free pilgrimage of six days' duration to temples at Puri and Konark in Odisha for senior citizens of the state. The instructions that have been given by the UP governor were circulated via a government order of principal secretary Navneet Sehgal. As many as 1,044 citizens of the state will be able to benefit from this free scheme.
"Though the trip is mainly for senior citizens, other residents of the state can also apply for the initiative. This trip will be completed with the collaboration of IRCTC, under which the interested residents will board trains from Lucknow and will be taken to Odisha. The travel itinerary of residents of other UP districts to Lucknow will be scheduled via Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses," read the government order issued by Navneet Sehgal, principal secretary, UP religious affairs.
"Though the trip is mainly for senior citizens, other residents of the state can also apply for the initiative. This trip will be completed with the collaboration of IRCTC, under which the interested residents will board trains from Lucknow and will be taken to Odisha. The travel itinerary of residents of other UP districts to Lucknow will be scheduled via Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) buses," read the government order issued by Navneet Sehgal, principal secretary, UP religious affairs.
The trip is scheduled from February 24 to February 29, 2016. Interested citizens can either apply online on www.samajwadishravanyatra.upgov.info till January 25 or submit their application to the respective district magistrates by February 5, 2016.
"From each district a maximum of 10 applicants will be allowed for the travel on first come first serve basis. The remaining people for the trip will be decided at the state government level. A waiting list will also be made so that if anyone backs off, another resident can be accommodated," read the order.
The order has come after a good response to UP government's 'Samajwadi Shravan Yatra', facilitating senior citizens to undertake free pilgrimage. "While on board, passengers will be served breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner. Each coach of the train will also have a tour operator and a security guard to ensure that the passengers have a safe and hassle-free journey," the order added.
