Haryana Govt launches free train pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 10, 2026: In a significant step to expand welfare initiatives for the elderly, the Government of Haryana has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to provide free train-based pilgrimage tours for senior citizens under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana.
The agreement was signed by K. Makarand Pandurang, Director General of the Information, Public Relations and Languages Department on behalf of the Haryana government, and Harjot Singh Sandhu, Circle Regional Manager of IRCTC.
Pandurang said the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana was launched to facilitate free visits for eligible elderly devotees from Haryana to important religious destinations.
So far, thousands of senior citizens from various districts have already been taken to pilgrimage sites such as Ayodhya through Volvo buses operated by the Haryana Transport Department.
Following the directions of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the state government has now decided to extend the scheme by introducing train journeys for pilgrims, making travel more convenient for a larger number of devotees.
Under the agreement, pilgrims will be taken to several prominent religious destinations including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Takht Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded, Pushkar, Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur Temple. Additional pilgrimage sites may be added in the future based on demand.
Officials informed that each special pilgrimage train will consist of 11 coaches — 10 reserved for devotees and one designated for service staff.
The Haryana government will provide free arrangements during the journey, including meals, beverages, local transportation from railway stations to pilgrimage sites and accommodation.
Under the scheme, senior citizens aged 60 years and above whose annual family income is below ₹1.80 lakh are eligible for the free pilgrimage tours. Eligible residents of Haryana can avail themselves of the facility by registering on the official pilgrimage portal.