India, Sept. 18 -- Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said the state government's Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme has facilitated pilgrimage visits for 5,10,807 people to religious destinations within and outside Punjab.

Speaking at a press conference on September 18, Sond said 95 AC buses were currently operating under the scheme and had completed 12,485 trips. The initiative was launched on November 9, 2025, to provide elderly residents with free travel and other facilities for visiting religious places.

He said the scheme's first phase covered Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Mata Naina Devi, with around four lakh pilgrims undertaking journeys to these destinations.

The programme was expande...