In a bid to provide facilities to pilgrims going to participate in the Ardha Kumbha Mela, beginning from January 15 at Prayagraj, the Department of
Tourism, has requested the Railways to provide rakes to send pilgrims from the State under ‘Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra’ scheme.
Speaking on the issue Tourism Minister Amar Kumar Bauri said, “As the fair will continue for one and half months the department will hold a meeting on January 17 to discuss the arrangements for pilgrims, who are willing to visit the venue. The visitors will get better facilities of food and lodging etc. during their tour.”
The Ardha Kumbha Mela, organised in every six years, is expected to draw a large numbers of people from Jharkhand. Speaking on the issue Tourism Secretary, Rahul Sharma said, “The department has given a request letter to IRCTC to provide easy conveyance for the people of Jharkhand, who are willing to visit the venue. But, till now the IRCTC has not given any answer in this regard. However, it is expected that the Railway will accept our request as it is running special trains from various parts of the country for the fair.”
Notably, the State government has a pact with IRCTC for its flagship scheme ‘Mukhya Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojna’. Hundreds of people from across the State have visited several religious places under the scheme in last two years.
Meanwhile, Ranchi Bus Owners Association Secretary Kishore Kumar Mantri said, “From the State government said nobody has contacted us for this regard and there is not a single bus is running on regular basis from Ranchi to Prayagraj. But, it is a very big event and this time also many buses will go to the venue on private level.”
This may be mentioned here that some days earlier, Uttar Pradesh Government, Minister of Agriculture, Surya Pratap Shahi had visited the State Capital to invite Jharkhand government’s Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers’ of Jharkhand government and officials of the government he also invited a large numbers of people from Jharkhand to visit the venue.
The Minister had invited people of the State and shown facilities provided by the Uttar Pradesh government.