Mahakumbh Mela: Today, Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated four modern bus services for devotees from four locations in Odisha for the Mahakumbh Mela. These premium modern buses of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) will operate from Puri, Sambalpur, Bhawanipatna, and Berhampur to Ayodhya via Varanasi and Prayagraj.
In a virtual ceremony held at Lok Seva Bhavan, the Chief Minister flagged off these buses and extended his best wishes to the devotees, expressing hope that they would earn immense spiritual merit through this pilgrimage.
The Chief Minister stated that initially, four buses have been deployed, and more will be arranged if required. He noted that for the first time, such a long journey of over 2,500 kilometers has been initiated.
The globally renowned Mahakumbh Mela is being held this year in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, from January 13 (Pausha Purnima) to February 26 (Mahashivaratri). Millions of devotees, pilgrims, and sages from across India and abroad visit Prayagraj during this occasion.
In this context, thousands of devotees from Odisha are also traveling to Prayagraj, prompting the introduction of this bus service. On the first day of service, 200 devotees from Odisha commenced their journey to the Mahakumbh Mela. The Chief Minister also announced a 50% concession on ticket prices for female passengers.
The buses are equipped with advanced safety features like live vehicle tracking, panic buttons, and driver assistance systems to ensure passenger safety. Additionally, all facilities for a comfortable journey have been arranged. A 24-hour helpline desk has also been set up for Mahakumbh Mela travelers. Passengers can avail of assistance by calling 1800 345 1122 or messaging via WhatsApp at 78490 52205.
To assist travelers in Prayagraj, OSRTC staff have also been deployed at the site. The Chief Minister emphasized that these measures aim to ensure a safe and pleasant journey for all passengers.
Present at the occasion in Berhampur, the Minister of Commerce and Transport, Shri Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, extended his best wishes to the passengers and highlighted the state’s ongoing month-long road safety campaign, urging everyone to adhere to traffic rules for safety.
Other dignitaries, including MP Smt. Malavika Devi in Bhawanipatna, MLA Shri Jayanarayan Mishra in Sambalpur, MLA Smt. Upasana Mahapatra in Puri, and MLA Shri Babu Singh at Lok Seva Bhavan, along with senior officials from the Transport Department, were present during the event.
