# Punjab CM, Kejriwal flag off 15 new pilgrim buses under yatra scheme 2026-08-13T22:56:19+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal flagged off 15 buses carrying pilgrims from Hoshiarpur on Wednesday, expanding the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana to three new routes: Salasar-Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan, Haridwar-Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, and Mathura-Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. The scheme covers AC bus travel, hotel stay, and food for permanent Punjab residents aged 50 and above, along with two family members, with no income, caste, or religion restrictions. Kejriwal said many pilgrims were visiting these sites for the first time and that the government plans to take 1.5 lakh people to various destinations in the coming months. Under Phase 1, over 4 lakh pilgrims have already visited sites including the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple, and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. Later, Kejriwal and Mann also attended a devotional event featuring singer Kailash Kher. ## Coverage - indiatoday.in - hindustantimes.com - hindustantimes.com Tags: Arvind Kejriwal, Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Yojana, pilgrimage subsidies, Punjab government, state finances Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-cm-mann-kejriwal-flag-off-15-pilgrim-buses-under-yatra-scheme/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-cm-mann-kejriwal-flag-off-15-pilgrim-buses-under-yatra-scheme/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.