Mohali ;
Under the Punjab Government’s Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme, three more buses carrying devotees were flagged off from the Mohali Assembly constituency on Thursday under the supervision of MLA Kulwant Singh. These were the 86th, 87th and 88th buses to depart from the constituency under the scheme.
Speaking to reporters, MLA Kulwant Singh said the scheme has received an overwhelming response from the public. He recalled that when the initiative was launched, only four to five buses had been dispatched from the constituency. However, after returning pilgrims shared their positive experiences with family and friends, registrations increased significantly.
He said that while one bus was initially operating daily, the number has now increased to three buses every day in line with the growing demand. From August, the number of daily buses will be increased to six. Besides Shri Amritsar Sahib, devotees will also be taken to other major religious destinations, including Khatu Shyam, Salasar, Vrindavan and Haridwar.
Kulwant Singh stated that Mohali Assembly constituency has 254 polling booths, and the aim is to ensure that at least one bus from every booth takes devotees on pilgrimage. He added that the scheme has become immensely popular across Punjab, especially among senior citizens.
During the pilgrimage, devotees visit several important religious and historical sites, including Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Durgiana Temple, Ram Tirath Valmiki Temple, Wagah Border and Jallianwala Bagh. Dedicated guides accompany each bus to provide pilgrims with information about the historical and religious significance of these places.
On Thursday, one bus was flagged off from Jujhar Nagar, another from Phase-9, and the third from Tangori village. State Awardee Phoolraj Singh, Assembly Constituency Coordinator of the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme, was also present on the occasion.
The MLA said that no previous government had introduced such a public welfare initiative. He credited AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for making free pilgrimage travel a reality for the people.
He further said that the Bhagwant Mann-led government is giving top priority to public welfare. Along with development works in the Mohali Assembly constituency, the government is also working on its commitment to provide financial assistance to women, with large-scale registrations currently underway.
Kulwant Singh added that development projects in the constituency would be accelerated in the coming months. Regular Lok Milni programmes are also being organised to address public grievances and spread awareness about various government welfare schemes, ensuring that citizens’ concerns are resolved promptly.
The event was attended by senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders Kuldeep Singh Samana, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Rajinder Prasad Sharma, Harpal Singh Channa, Jaspal Singh Mataur, Gurpreet Singh Bariyali, Malkit Singh, Harpal Singh Talauli, Amarjit Singh, Iqbal Singh, Bikram Singh Sandhu, Ravi Kumar, Kuldeep Singh Tangori, Jagjit Singh Jaggu, Baljit Singh Happy, Pragat Singh, and several other party workers and supporters.
