In a significant move, Chhattisgarh has got the green light to an annual free train travel initiative for individuals who desire to embark on a pilgrimage to the Ayodhya temple. This decision was formally endorsed during a state cabinet meeting on January 10, presided over by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Addressing a commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2023 assembly elections, an official release highlighted the government’s assurance to facilitate the annual pilgrimage for 20,000 people to Ayodhya via train. Eligibility for the scheme is open to individuals between the ages of 18 and 75 who are deemed medically fit, with the initial focus on selecting participants aged 55 and above.
Selection Process and Implementation
To oversee the selection process, a committee will be established under the collector in each district. The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board will spearhead the implementation of the scheme, with necessary budgetary allocations from the state tourism department. A memorandum of understanding is slated to be signed with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to execute the initiative, featuring the arrangement of a weekly special train.
Pilgrimage Itinerary
The special train, accessible from Raipur, Durg, Raigarh, and Ambikapur stations, will transport pilgrims on a 900-kilometer journey to Ayodhya. En route, participants will make a night halt in Varanasi, visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple and partaking in the revered Ganga Aarti.
Commemorating the Ram Temple Consecration
In a separate decision, the Sai government has designated January 22 as a “dry day” to commemorate the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Additionally, the state government has appointed Prafull Bharat, a senior advocate of the Chhattisgarh High Court, as the new Advocate General (AG), succeeding former AG Satish Chandra Verma, who resigned following the BJP’s assumption of power in the state last month.
(With PTI Inputs)