MARGAO
Call it an outreach to the minority communities or otherwise, the BJP government and the party have put in place arrangements for the annual pilgrimage to Velankanni for the Madi, novenas and the feast of Our Lady of Velankanni.
While Chairman of the Kadamba Transport Corporation and Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar flagged off a sleeper coach to the pilgrim centre from Margao on Thursday, an initiative by BJP State President Damu Naik will see a train carrying around 1,200 pilgrims from Fatorda and surrounding areas to Velankanni on Friday.
Ahead of the mega arrangements made by the BJP president, who is expected to flag off the dedicated train to Velankanni from Margao railway station on Friday, the KTC chairman descended on the Margao KTC bus depot to bid bon voyage to the pilgrims.
The KTC chairman told the media that the Corporation is ready and willing to put additional luxury buses to Velankanni to clear the rush if a request comes from the pilgrims. “Right now, we have flagged off a sleeper coach to Velankanni on Thursday. Another bus will head to Velankanni on September 5, which will take the pilgrims for the feast of Our Lady of Velankanni on September 8,” Tuenkar said.
He said KTC would not shy away from putting additional luxury buses on the Goa- Velankanni route if there is a request. “Our inter-State luxury bus service is doing very well and is a major revenue earner. If there is a request for additional buses to Velankanni, we will accept the request,” he said.
A return journey to Velankanni on the 30-seater KTC luxury bus costs Rs 6,000 per pilgrim.
Pilgrims who embarked on the pilgrimage by KTC bus expressed their satisfaction with the luxury bus service deployed by the Corporation. “Last year too, we had deployed a luxury bus service to Velankanni to cater to the needs of the pilgrims,” Tuenkar added.
Special train to leave Margao
with 1,200 pilgrims today
MARGAO: The stage is set for the departure of 1,200 pilgrims to Velankanni by train on Friday, in an initiative spearheaded by BJP State president and former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik.
Naik is expected to flag off the special train to Velankanni at Margao railway station at 9 am on Friday, in the presence of PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, BJP Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar and other leaders.
“My initiative to send a special train to Velankanni has evoked a tremendous response. Around 816 pilgrims from Fatorda alone have registered for the pilgrimage by train. The remaining 300-odd seats have been booked by pilgrims from Margao and surrounding areas of Salcete,” Damu told the media on Thursday.
He said the pilgrims would embark on their journey on Friday morning and return by the same train after attending the Madi on August 29 and the novena on August 30. “We have made all necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage for the people,” Damu added.
