Maha Kumbh Mela: Odisha to launch bus services to sacred pilgrimage destinations

The government of Odisha has introduced a new bus service to key pilgrimage destinations, including tailored arrangements for the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela. The buses will connect the state with prominent pilgrimage sites across the country.

As part of the plan, buses of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) will be engaged to ferry devotees to the religious sites. The bus services will begin for the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.  Devotees from four major cities such as Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Bhawanipatna and Sambalpur will be taken to UP to attend the world-famous Kumbh Mela.

The specific service for the Maha Kumbh will run from January 13 to February 26, designed to provide comfortable travel for the devotees.

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Once the Maha Kumbh concludes, the bus services will persist, facilitating transportation to various other revered locations. This strategic initiative was announced by the state's Transport Minister, ensuring ongoing support for religious journeys.

“Buses from four places in Odisha will leave for Kumbh Mela. Devotees from Bhawanipatna, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Bhubaneswar will be taken to Kumbh Mela. As of now, the buses will ferry the devotees from Jan 13 to Jan 26. But, we have decided to continue with the pilgrimage services in the coming days too,” informed Commerce and Transport Minister, Bibhuti Jena. 

“The bus services will continue wherein devotees can visit all the pilgrimage places outside Odisha. A detailed report has been prepared about the bus services. However, you will have to wait for a couple of more days for the final decision,” he further added.

Earlier, the Minister had announced that the bus services would be launched to Ayodhya, Varanasi and Mathura (Vrindavan), Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple and Tirupati. 

“Our priority is to provide bus services to everyone in the state. Efforts will also be made to improve the revenue of OSRTC and make it business profitable like that of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC),” he added.