Free Ayodhya Pilgrimage for Senior Citizens Under Haryana Scheme

New Delhi,March 22: The Haryana government has announced a special initiative under the Chief Minister Teerth Yatra Yojana, offering free pilgrimage travel to Ayodhya Dham for eligible senior citizens. A special train will be flagged off on March 28 from Ambala Junction by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.

Originally scheduled for March 26, the journey has been rescheduled to March 28, providing additional time for eligible beneficiaries to register.

Deputy Commissioner Ajay Kumar informed that residents of Gurugram district can also avail themselves of this opportunity. Senior citizens aged 60 years and above, with an annual family income of up to ₹1.80 lakh, are eligible for the scheme. Interested applicants must complete their registration on the Saral Haryana portal by Monday, March 23. Registration can be done online via smartphones or through nearby Common Service Centres (CSCs).

Eligibility and Required Documents

To apply under the scheme, applicants must submit:

A valid photo ID (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or other government-issued ID)

Family Identity Card (PPP)

Self-declaration of physical fitness for travel

Declaration confirming they have not availed the scheme in the last three years

Applicants must be residents of Haryana and possess a valid Family Identity Card.

Travel Provisions and Benefits

Under the scheme:

Eligible senior citizens can travel free of cost Spouses are allowed to accompany beneficiaries free of charge

One additional person may accompany them on a paid basis Individuals aged 18–60 or those with income above ₹1.80 lakh can also join by paying full cost

The scheme operates on a “first come, first served” basis, and each individual can avail the benefit once every three years.

Travel Arrangements for Gurugram Residents

District Information and Public Relations Officer Bijender Kumar stated that pilgrims from Gurugram will need to board the train from Delhi on the evening of March 28. The government will arrange accommodation, meals, and local transport for all passengers.

Post-Registration Process

After completing online registration, applicants must inform the District Information and Public Relations Office (DIPRO) located on the sixth floor of the Mini Secretariat. This step is necessary to ensure that details of eligible passengers are forwarded to railway authorities. Registered applicants are required to submit this information before noon on March 24.

The initiative reflects the Haryana government’s commitment to ensuring that no elderly citizen is deprived of spiritual opportunities due to financial or physical limitations, making pilgrimage accessible and inclusive for all.

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