MoU signed between Devasthan Department and IRCTC | 29 Jul 2023

Why in News?

On July 27, 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Devasthan Department and IRCTC in the presence of Devasthan Minister Shakuntala Rawat at Udyog Bhawan under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme-2023 of the Devasthan Department of Rajasthan.

Key Points:

• The Minister said that this MoU has been signed in accordance with the intention of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and giving concrete shape to his vision. With the signing of this MoU, facilities will be provided to senior citizens visiting Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal from July 28.
• He said that the journey from Jaipur to Delhi will be completed by bus through IRCTC. In Delhi, senior citizens will start their air journey from the Indira Gandhi International Airport and reach Kathmandu and visit the Pashupatinath temple.
• The state government is fulfilling the dream of senior citizens of the state to visit pilgrimage sites through rail travel and air travel. New pilgrimage sites are also being included in this scheme.
• The pilgrimage, which will begin on July 28, will continue till September 2 and more than 100 senior citizens will undertake the yatra daily. 100 pilgrims from Sri Ganganagar district will go to Kathmandu to visit the Pashupatinath temple.
• This year, under the scheme, 40,000 senior citizens are being made to visit pilgrimage sites, in which 36,000 pilgrims will be able to visit by rail and 4,000 by air.