PANAJI
The State government on Tuesday announced that it has organised three special 1000-capacity train journeys to facilitate travels of those heading for the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj in February.
Social Welfare Minister Subash Faldesai made the announcement in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and WRD Minister Subhash Shirodkar at the Secretariat.
Phaldesai said, the three train journeys will be flagged off from Margao at 8 am on February 6, 13 and 21.
The journey will be a 34-hour one and the train will halt at a station before Paryagraj from where the pilgrims will have to make their own arrangements to head to the venue.
Phaldesai also said that only those who don't have any major health issue will be eligible to travel under the tweaked CM Dev Darshan Yatra Yojna and will have to give an undertaking to that effect.
Phaldesai said the initiative aims to assist devotees who may not afford the high costs of travel.
“A lot of people want to go but cannot because of airfare and train travel costs,” Phaldesai said even as he called on 18-60 year olds to come forward and book their spot on these trains on a first-come-first-served basis.
The minister said as a precautionary measure services of a medical and para-medical team will be arranged for the journey.
