Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country that has started taking elderly pilgrims for pilgrimage by aeroplane under the Mukhyamantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan flagged off the Indigo flight of pilgrims from Bhopal airport to Prayagraj on Sunday, May 21. In this case, 24 men and 8 women left for Prayagraj.

Mukhyamantri Teerth-Darshan Yojana

While reviewing the preparations in the Ministry, Additional Chief Secretary Home and Dr. Rajesh Rajoura said that Madhya Pradesh has also been the first state to make elderly pilgrims travel by rail. Now Chief Minister Chouhan is going to take the elders of the state on a pilgrimage for the first time in the country. Under the scheme, such senior citizens of the state above 65 years of age who are not income tax payers will be benefited. The first flight departed on May 21 at 9:50 a.m. from Bhopal airport for Prayagraj by Indigo. There is also an escort with 32 pilgrims going to Prayagraj.

Pilgrims travelling by air can carry one check-in bag of a maximum weight of 15 kg and 7 kg with them. Can carry a weighted handbag. A counter will also be set up at Bhopal airport to help the pilgrims. Pilgrims will return to Bhopal by Monday evening after visiting Prayagraj.

It used to take 4 to 5 days for the pilgrims to visit the pilgrimage by rail. With the facility of air travel being made available to the elderly by the state government, it will be convenient for the elderly to complete the journey in 24 to 36 hours.Divisional Commissioner Malsingh Bhadiya, Police Commissioner Bhopal Harinarayan Chari, Commissioner Public Relations Manish Singh, Airport Director Ramji Awasthi, and senior officers of various departments were present.

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Pilgrimage programme of the first phase by air

Dr. Rajoura told me that the first phase of the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana will start from Bhopal on May 21. In the same sequence, pilgrims from Agar-Malwa district via Indore airport to Shirdi on May 23, pilgrims from Betul district via Bhopal airport via Agra airport, Mathura-Vrindavan on May 26, and pilgrims from Dewas via Indore airport to Shirdi on May 26. On June 3, pilgrims from Khandwa travelled via Indore airport via Kolkata Gangasagar; on June 4, pilgrims from Harda travelled via Bhopal airport to Prayagraj; on June 6, pilgrims from Mandsaur travelled via Indore airport to Shirdi; and on June 8, pilgrims from Narmadapuram travelled via Bhopal airport. Via Agra Airport, Mathura-Vrindavan, Neemuch pilgrims on June 9 from Indore Airport to Shirdi, On June 15, pilgrims from Barwani will travel via Kolkata Gangasagar from Indore airport; on June 16, pilgrims from Indore will travel via Indore airport via Kolkata Gangasagar; and on June 18, pilgrims from Damoh will travel by plane from Bhopal airport to Prayagraj.