Deendayal Upadhyay Varishtha Nagrik Tirthyatra Yojana is a unique scheme by government of Rajasthan for senior citizens. Under this scheme, the pilgrimage of senior citizens by train and air will be sponsored by state government. Not only air fare but also their food and stay are taken care of by Rajasthan state. Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt. Vasundhara Raje launched this scheme during 2013-14 budget. Rajasthan has become first state to launch such kind of scheme for senior citizens.
List of Pilgrims can be travelled
Under this scheme, senior citizens can travel following pilgrims:
By Rail:-
Jagannathpuri, Rameswaram, Vaishnodevi, Tirupati Balaji, Dwarikapuri, Amritsar, Samandashikhar, Goa, Shravan Belgorola, Bihar Sharif, Shirdi, Patna Sahib, Gaya- Bodhgaya Kashi – Sarnath
By airplane:-
Jagannathpuri, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Varanasi (Kashi) – Sarnath, Amritsar, Summit, Goa, Bihar Sharif, Shirdi, Patna Sahib
It is important to note that the places in the list can be added or reduced as per Devasthan Department.
Who is eligible to avail this scheme?
There are certain eligibility criteria for availing this scheme which are given below:
1- The pilgrim must be resident of Rajasthan only and must not be less than 60 years.
2- Person of 60 years or more will be eligible for train travel while person of 65 years or more will be eligible for air travel.
3- The pilgrim must not be an income tax payer.
4- The pilgrim must not be retired government employee.
5- Pilgrims must be in good health and show the proof of the same. Pilgrim must not be suffering from diseases like mental disorder, tuberculosis, coronary inadequacy, respiratory diseases and cardiac diseases etc.
6- Spouse of government official or retired official is not eligible for this trip.
Pilgrims made till 2017
In year 2014-15, 6914 pilgrims visited Jagannathpuri, Rameswaram, Tirupati Balaji, Dwarikapuri, Bihar Sharif by train.
In year 2015-16, 8710 pilgrims travelled to Rameswaram, Tirupati Balaji, Dwarikapuri, Bihar Sharif Jagannathpuri, Shirdi Goa by train and bus.
In year 2016-17, 8207 pilgrims travelled to Rameswaram, Tirupati Balaji, Dwarikapuri, Jagannathpuri and VaishnoDevi by rail. 762 pilgrims above 70 years travelled to Tirupati Balaji, Rameswaram, Jagannathpuri and Sammed Shikharji in Jharkhand by aeroplane.
Pilgrims to travel this year
This year 2017-18, 1500 pilgrims will visit pilgrims by train while 5000 pilgrims will travel by air.
