Odisha govt to relaunch BNTYY from Feb 1 to facilitate sr citizens’ pilgrimage trips
Bhubaneswar, July 16 (UNI) The Odisha Government will relaunch the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) from February 1, 2025, to facilitate pilgrimage tours for senior citizens residing in the state.
The scheme, originally launched on February 1, 2016, is being implemented in collaboration with the Odisha Tourism Department and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
According to official sources, over 37,555 senior citizens from various districts have already availed the opportunity to visit pilgrimage sites across the country through 40 trips conducted under the scheme.
In the financial year 2024–25 alone, 7,967 senior citizens visited pilgrimage destinations such as Shirdi, Nashik, Dakshineswar Kali Temple (Kolkata), Kamakhya, Ayodhya, and Varanasi in 10 separate trips.
Each eligible senior citizen is entitled to benefit from the scheme once in their lifetime. Citizens aged between 60 and 75 years, regardless of caste or religion, are eligible.
In the case of senior citizen couples, at least one partner must be above 60 years of age. Additionally, citizens aged 70 to 75 years may take along one attendant (aged 18 years or above).
Pilgrims are selected by the respective District Collectors based on district-wise quotas. If applications exceed the quota, a lottery system is used to select beneficiaries.
The state government provides transportation from the pilgrim’s village to the boarding railway station and back. During the journey, IRCTC provides accommodation, meals, local transport, travel guides, medical facilities, travel insurance, and the services of a travel guard.
