Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant flagged off the first pilgrimage train under the state government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana’ on Thursday, sending devotees to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025. He commended the arrangements for the event, describing it as a monumental organisational feat.
“Maha Kumbh 2025 is a globally renowned spiritual event, with more than 40 crore people expected to participate. Organising such a massive gathering is undoubtedly a challenging task, but UP CM Yogi Adityanath has made exceptional arrangements to ensure its success. We are proud to provide pilgrims from Goa the opportunity to be part of this sacred experience,” said Sawant.
During his address, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Heritage Bhi, Vikas Bhi’, emphasising the importance of preserving cultural traditions while working towards national progress.
“We must strive for the development of our country while preserving our rich heritage. PM Modi Ji has undertaken remarkable efforts in this direction. Our goal is to move towards ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ by ensuring future generations connect with and appreciate our cultural roots,” he said.
The special train, operated in collaboration with Konkan Railway Corporation Limited, is the first of three trains scheduled to facilitate the pilgrimage to Maha Kumbh 2025.
Two additional special trains will depart from Madgaon Railway Station at 8 am on February 13 and 21. Each train will accommodate 1,000 pilgrims, with seats available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Eligible passengers between the ages of 18 and 60 years, without any medical conditions, can apply for this pilgrimage. The flagging-off ceremony was attended by Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, Goa BJP president Damu Naik, and others. Pilgrims on board expressed their gratitude to the government for facilitating this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey. Sawant stated: “I congratulate Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Ji for organising such a grand Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Making arrangements for more than 40 crore people is a historic achievement. On behalf of the Goa government, we extend our best wishes to the Uttar Pradesh government for the successful execution of this sacred event.”