Dhuri, August 18:- Under the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana’, the Punjab Government is facilitating pilgrims in visiting various religious shrines across the country. As part of the initiative, Chairman of Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation, Dalvir Singh Dhillon, flagged off three buses carrying pilgrims from Dhuri to Shri Khatu Shyam-Salasar Balaji, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Mathura-Vrindavan. He interacted with the pilgrims and wished them a safe, comfortable and successful journey. Waqf Board Member Dr. Anwar Bhassaur was also present.
Addressing the gathering, Dhillon said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has expanded the scheme while respecting the religious sentiments of people from all sections of society. He said the initiative enables pilgrims to undertake their religious journeys without any financial burden.
He said that people aged 50 years and above are eligible to undertake the pilgrimage. The government is providing free AC sleeper bus travel, accommodation and meals, besides ensuring necessary arrangements for pilgrims’ safety and convenience.
The Chairman said that under the first phase, around four lakh pilgrims have so far visited various religious shrines, including Sri Amritsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi. An expenditure of ?148 crore has been incurred so far, while the government has set a target of facilitating 10 lakh pilgrims to visit various religious destinations.
He said the expansion of the scheme to include Shri Khatu Shyam-Salasar Balaji, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Mathura-Vrindavan would provide people with greater opportunities to visit major religious destinations. Medical assistance and other facilities are also being provided during the journey, with an attendant deployed in every bus and special teams stationed at various destinations.
Dhillon said the initiative goes beyond religious travel and aims to strengthen communal harmony, goodwill and mutual respect. He appealed to pilgrims to pray for Punjab’s prosperity, progress, peace and the well-being of its people.
Anil Mittal, President, Municipal Council, Amarjot Kaur, Block President Naresh Kumar, Councillors Rajiv Verma and Sushil Rinku, Balwinder Singh Billu, Ajaib Singh, local leaders, officials, party workers and a large number of pilgrims were present.