Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary flagged off a special train with 1,100 pilgrims to Somnath on Monday. The state govt is bearing all costs for the pilgrims who will reach Somnath on July 22. This yatra is part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, celebrated to mark the temple’s renovation 75 years ago. The state govt has arranged everything for the yatra for free. The state cabinet has recently approved Rs2.50 crore for the seven-day pilgrimage.CM Samrat urged the pilgrims to pray for Bihar’s prosperity, which is former CM Nitish Kumar’s dream and vital to PM Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. “Your prayers will ensure Bihar’s fast development and prosperity. The Gujarat govt will host you,” he said.“When the Somnath temple was renovated 75 years ago, it was Bihar’s son Rajendra Prasad who went there to inaugurate it. The temple symbolises the unwavering faith of Sanatan and the rise of Gujarat from plunder to prosperity,” Samrat said.Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary, BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi and several other ministers were present at the Patliputra Junction on this occasion.Deputy CM said, “You carry the sentiment and goodwill message of entire Bihar to Gujarat. The CM has handed over a ‘kalash’, which symbolises goodwill and a happy journey. PM Modi dreamt of such yatras and CM Samrat has made elaborate arrangements for you in Bihar as Somnath symbolises the country’s self-respect and culture,” he said.The state govt is bearing the full expenses for the devotees’ rail travel, meals, accommodation, and other necessary amenities. The special train is being operated with modern LHB rakes comprising 16 Third AC coaches, a pantry car, and two power cars.
