• Source:PTI
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The Chhattisgarh government announced a scheme for people who want to visit Ayodhya Ram Mandir for darshan. The BJP government in the state on Wednesday approved the scheme, which will provide free annual train tickets to devotees travelling to Ayodhya from multiple cities of Chhattisgarh. 

The decision was taken by the Chhattisgarh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and it would be implemented by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and a necessary budget would be provided by the state tourism department to oversee the operations.  

An official release stated that about 20,000 people would be taken to Ayodhya on an annual pilgrimage by train. The Chhattisgarh locals in the age group of 18 years to 75 years, who are medically fit would be eligible under the scheme. 

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In the first leg of the scheme, people above 55 years of age would be considered preferably. A committee would be set up under the collector in each district to select pilgrims. 

The Chhattisgarh government has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railways and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to implement the scheme with ease. A weekly special train would also be arranged under the scheme.

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The beneficiaries would be able to board weekly trains for Ayodhya from Raipur, Durg, Raigarh and Ambikapur railway stations, free of cost. The main destination of the approximately 900-kilometre train journey would be Ayodhya, the government release stated.  

The pilgrim tour will also include a halt in Varanasi where they will be taken to Kashi Vishwanath temple and will participate in the Ganga Aarti.