Finance
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched premium bus services for the Maha Kumbh Mela on Sunday from four cities in Uttar Pradesh: Puri, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, and Berhampur to Ayodhya via Varanasi and Prayagraj.
The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC), the state-owned public transport operator under Odisha’s Transport & Commerce Department, has begun operating special pilgrim buses to holy destinations.
On Sunday, more than 200 pilgrims from various regions of Odisha left for the Maha Kumbh Mela on these special buses outfitted with all modern facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Majhi stated that Ardha Kumbha is held every six years, but Purna Kumbha is observed every twelve years in Prayagraj. However, after a 144-year hiatus, the Maha Kumbh Mela will return to Prayagraj this year.
The Maha Kumbh Mela will be place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 to February 26. This year’s great fair will draw lakhs of pilgrims and saints to Prayagraj.
“Thousands of devotees from Odisha also go on pilgrimage to Prayagraj and take a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam (the holy confluence of rivers — Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati) whenever Kumbh Mela takes place. As this holy Maha Kumbh Mela fair is going to be held for a long period between January 13 and February 26, I request all to go to Prayagraj on the holy pilgrimage,” stated the CM.
CM Majhi stated that the Odisha government has made many precautions to safeguard the safety of pilgrims who use OSRTC’s premium bus services. Each route will have two buses running up and down it. The OSRTC has also made all required arrangements for short-term accommodation at selected locations along the routes.
CM Majhi also announced that women pilgrims’ bus fares have been reduced by half. He stated that the pilgrim buses had a live car tracking system, panic buttons, and a sophisticated driver support system installed. Managers are stationed on each bus to ensure that passengers do not encounter any issues during their journey.
Aside from that, tents have been set up at Prayagraj for pilgrims, and tour guides have been hired to guide them there.
The OSRTC office now offers a 24-hour help center for pilgrims visiting the Maha Kumbh Mela. Pilgrims can also request aid by phoning 1800 345 1122 or messaging 78490 52205 on WhatsApp.
In addition, OSRTC personnel have been deployed in Prayagraj to assist devotees in every way possible. Pilgrims can reserve tickets in advance via the OSRTC website (osrtc.org), mobile app, or at OSRTC ticket counters. The Chief Minister also announced that the OSRTC is embarking on a long-distance journey of more than 2,500 kilometers for the first time.
Source: IANS
